Rotavirus
What is rotavirus?
Rotaviruses are a group of viruses that can cause infection of the digestive system. Infections mostly affect young children and infants. They can cause a range of mild to moderate symptoms, but also severe diarrhoea and vomiting.
Rotavirus infection is the most common cause of severe diarrhoeal illness in infants and young children across the world.
At a glance
- Rotavirus infection is the most common cause of severe diarrhoea in infants and young children worldwide.
- By the age of 5, most children will have been infected with rotavirus at least once.
- Every year in the EU/EEA, rotavirus is responsible for:
- Up to 150 000 children under five being hospitalised.
- Up to 600 000 children needing to visit a doctor.
- Rotavirus infection can be prevented by getting vaccinated.
- Vaccine type(s): live attenuated
What are the symptoms of rotavirus?
The symptoms of rotavirus infection are very similar to other gastrointestinal infections. The most common are:
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fever
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue
What are the complications of rotavirus infection?
As a result of diarrhoea and vomiting, people - particularly infants - can become severely dehydrated. This is a potentially serious complication that, if left untreated, can become life threatening. Symptoms of dehydration include:
- Infrequent urination
- Cool, dry skin
- No or very few tears when crying
- Lethargy
- Sunken eyes
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
How is rotavirus spread?
Rotaviruses are very contagious and spread easily through contaminated hand to mouth contact. They spread through contact with particles of faeces from an infected person. For example, if a child or adult that has been infected uses the toilet and then touches a door handle or toy without washing their hands properly, they may leave infectious material on hard surfaces that someone else might come into contact with. If that person then touches food or their mouth they can become infected. The virus can survive for hours on hard surfaces.
Who is at risk of rotavirus infection?
Rotavirus can infect anyone at any age, but infection is most common in infants and young children – for whom disease can be more severe – and the adults who care for them. Most children will be infected with rotavirus at least once by the time they are five years old.
How can rotavirus infection be prevented?
Vaccination can reduce the risk of infection with rotavirus and reduces the severity of illness if infected. The rotavirus vaccine is part of the routine vaccination schedule in several EU/EEA countries.
Beyond vaccination, thorough hand washing and disinfection of surfaces in high-risk settings such as childcare centres helps prevent infection.
How is rotavirus infection treated?
There is no specific antiviral drug for treating rotavirus infections. These should resolve on their own after around a week. Treatment consists of addressing the symptoms of the disease, e.g. giving fluids and, following medical advice, medication to stop the vomiting and diarrhoea. It is important to ensure children who are infected stay hydrated to avoid complications, which may require hospitalization.