Rotavirus should be taken seriously

When babies have diarrhea, it is basically something that parents are used to dealing with. However, it is important to make sure that the problem does not go on for days because it could lead to something more serious than just diarrhea. Read on to learn the dangers of diarrhea and what it can lead to.

Most parents have this thought that diarrhea is something normal and everyone goes through it at some point in their lives. Some of you probably think your little one has an upset stomach due to the milk she is drinking.

Therefore, you practice the ‘watch and analyze’ technique while you try out a new product on your baby. After waiting a couple of days, while the little one suffers diaper after diaper only to find that the problem is still there, then you decide to seek professional help.

Some parents wait for the very last minute and have to deal with surprising news that their baby has contracted a dangerous disease, called Rotavirus. If not treated in time, this disease could be a threat to your little one’s life.

What is Rotavirus?

Rotavirus is a virus that infects the intestinal tract of almost all young children by the age of five. Children can get Rotavirus more than once, but the first infection is usually the worst as it causes an upset stomach and severe diarrhea.

Babies and young children who are infected with Rotavirus should be watched very closely because they could get dehydrated quickly. Dehydration happens when your body loses more liquid faster than replacing them. Dehydration can cause other health conditions to arise.

The virus spreads through contact with the stool from an infected child. The virus can spread easily even when people try very hard to keep places clean. For example, when a caregiver changes the messy diaper of a child who has rotavirus infection, germs can get on the changing table, the caregiver’s hands, or the hands of the already-infected child.

Other children who get the Rotavirus germs on their hands can get infected when they put their hands into their mouths. They can also contract the virus when they chew a toy that has the germs on it.

What are the symptoms?

It takes about one to three days for the symptoms to start showing. Vomiting is often the first symptom followed by a fever and diarrhea. Kids who are infected have a very watery diarrhea that seems like a large amount for a baby or young child.

The most severe diarrhea last for four to eight days while episodes of diarrhea could still occur even while your child is recovering. In some children, diarrhea can last for a couple of weeks.

How is it diagnosed?

Your doctor will most likely diagnose your child with Rotavirus based on her symptoms. A test of stool can be done to confirm the diagnosis. This test is not necessary unless your little one has other health conditions that make it important to know the cause of symptoms.

How is it treated?

Hold your child as much as he or she wants. Keep your child in comfortable clothes, and change his or her diaper or underpants as needed. Your child may get a diaper rash. To treat diaper rash, you may need to use warm washcloths to wipe your child’s bottom and creams to help prevent soreness. In some cases, you may want to hold your baby and rinse his or her bottom in running bath water to clean the area well.

Your doctor may recommend a rehydration drink. This may be especially helpful if your child’s diarrhea lasts longer than a few days. Rehydration drinks help replace fluids and electrolytes. Plain water doesn’t provide necessary nutrients or electrolytes and may not be absorbed when your child has diarrhea.

Your doctor may suggest probiotics for your child. They are bacteria that help keep the natural balance of organisms (microflora) in the intestines. For more information, see the topic Probiotics.

Did you know?

Diarrhea, fever and vomiting could cause your child to lose their appetite. Therefore, leading to dehydration. Dehydration is not something to be pushed aside as it could cause other health problems to arise!