Rotavirus
OVERVIEW
- Rotavirus is the leading cause of gastroenteritis worldwide and a leading cause of infant death in the developing world.
- 95% of U.S. children have had a rotavirus infection by the age of 5 years.
- Most cases occur in late winter and early spring.
CAUSE
- Route of transmission is mostly fecal-oral but may be airborne in cooler months.
CLINICAL FEATURES
- fever (1/3 of cases)
- vomiting (in the first 1-2 days)
- diarrhea (copious, watery, lasting 5-21 days)
Complications (unusual)
- hepatitis
- pneumonitis
- encephalopathy
INVESTIGATIONS
- usually a clinical diagnosis
- antigen assays useful for surveillance, isolation/ cohorting in hospital and if complications present
MANAGEMENT
Treatment
- supportive care
- maintain hydration (ORS is the mainstay)
Prevention
- key to disease control
- good hand hygiene
- vaccination — effective in decreasing hospitalizations and deaths in developing countries.
References and Links
- Cox, Elaine and Christenson, John. Rotavirus. Pediatrics in Review. 2012; 33 (10): 439 – 447.
Critical Care
Compendium
Chris is an Intensivist and ECMO specialist at The Alfred ICU, where he is Deputy Director (Education). He is a Clinical Adjunct Associate Professor at Monash University, the Lead for the Clinician Educator Incubator programme, and a CICM First Part Examiner.
He is an internationally recognised Clinician Educator with a passion for helping clinicians learn and for improving the clinical performance of individuals and collectives. He was one of the founders of the FOAM movement (Free Open-Access Medical education) has been recognised for his contributions to education with awards from ANZICS, ANZAHPE, and ACEM.
His one great achievement is being the father of three amazing children.
On Bluesky, he is @precordialthump.bsky.social and on the site that Elon has screwed up, he is @precordialthump.
| INTENSIVE | RAGE | Resuscitology | SMACC