Has your little one ever come home with a sudden stomach bug that seems worse than usual? You might see them struggling with a fever, followed by vomiting and watery diarrhea that just won’t quit. If this sounds familiar, you might be dealing with rotavirus symptoms.
Rotavirus is a very common germ that causes a “stomach flu.” And yes, you can get it too.
While the name sounds scary, it’s usually not dangerous, especially when you know what to do. Understanding what rotavirus symptoms look like, how to prevent and treat it, and when to see a doctor can help you remain calm and keep yourself and your family safe and healthy.
What is the Rotavirus?
Rotavirus is a virus that infects the intestines, and it is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide.
This germ is highly contagious and spreads easily from person to person. It spreads through enteric (fecal-oral) transmission.
Pieces of the virus live in an infected person’s feces (poop or stool). A person, typically children, can get the virus on their hands after wiping or touching an area where tiny particles land after flushing. If they don’t wash their hands thoroughly after using the bathroom, they can pass it on to others by touching more surfaces. When others touch those same surfaces (toys, desks, doorknobs, etc.) and put their hands in their mouths, they can become sick.
Because it is a virus, antibiotics, which only kill bacteria, do not treat rotavirus. For most people, the body will fight off the virus on its own, usually in 3-8 days.
Common Rotavirus Symptoms
The most important thing to watch for is how the illness starts. Usually, a child will develop a fever and start vomiting roughly two days after they’ve been exposed to the virus. After about a day or two, the vomiting stops and is replaced by very watery diarrhea.
Common rotavirus symptoms include:
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- A high fever: This is often the first sign that the body is fighting a germ.
- Vomiting: This can make it hard for your child to keep down water or medicine.
- Watery diarrhea: This can last for several days and is often very frequent.
- Abdominal pain: Your child might complain that their tummy hurts or act very cranky and “colicky.”
- Loss of appetite: With all of these other symptoms, children often don’t feel like eating very much.
Adults can experience the same rotavirus symptoms. However, they usually don’t get as sick and often feel better more quickly than children do.
How Do I Tell Rotavirus Symptoms Apart from Food Poisoning?
Food poisoning shares a lot of the same symptoms as rotavirus and other stomach bugs, so this is tricky.
However, the most telling indication that you or your child has an infection is how quickly symptoms develop. With a virus, it comes on gradually, moving from “I don’t feel so good” to vomiting and diarrhea over the course of days.
With food poisoning, you feel fine until you are suddenly running for the bathroom. There’s very little warning other than nausea and maybe stomach cramps. Plus, most people get over food poisoning within a day or two, but a virus can stick around for over a week.
Dehydration: The Biggest Danger
The biggest risk with rotavirus isn’t the virus itself, but the loss of fluids. When a child is vomiting and has diarrhea at the same time, their body loses water faster than they can drink it. This potentially serious condition is called dehydration.
Watch for these “red flag” signs of dehydration:
- Dry mouth: Their tongue or the inside of their mouth looks dry or sticky.
- No tears: They cry, but no wet tears come out.
- Fewer wet diapers or bathroom trips: For babies, if they haven’t had a wet diaper in 6 to 8 hours, they are likely dehydrated. The same applies to a bathroom trip for young potty-trained children.
- Drowsiness: If your child is very sleepy, hard to wake up, or acts “floppy,” this is a serious sign.
Even when you are careful to ensure your child gets frequent sips, dehydration can still happen. The younger a child is, the more quickly it can become dangerous and require medical intervention.
If you notice dry mouth, no tears, or fewer wet diapers, schedule an appointment as soon as possible. If your infant or child won’t wake up easily, seems incredibly weak, or (if they are of speaking age) has slurred speech or confusion, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Who Can Get Rotavirus?
While anyone can catch this virus, it is most common in children between 3 months and 3 years of age, especially those in daycare and preschool.
Young children tend to put their hands in their mouths more often and don’t always wash them as thoroughly as older children and adults do. Plus, with younger immune systems, they can get sick more easily and more severely.
Adults at highest risk for rotavirus include caregivers or teachers of young children, adults over 65, and those with a compromised immune system.
For the average healthy adult, rotavirus doesn’t usually cause severe symptoms or illness. However, even if you don’t feel that sick, you can still pass it to your child or vulnerable adults. That’s why handwashing is so important, especially when even one family member feels unwell.
Should I Get the Rotavirus Vaccine?
Because rotavirus symptoms aren’t typically as severe for older children and adults, there is no vaccine for anybody over the age of 1.
Fortunately, there are rotavirus vaccines for infants, as they are most at risk of serious symptoms. And they don’t even have to get a shot!
The rotavirus vaccines are liquid and safely administered by dropping them into an infant’s mouth. It is usually given in a series of doses at 2, 4, and 6 months of age.
While our clinic does not provide these specific infant vaccines, we strongly encourage you to speak with a healthcare provider about them. If you are worried about the cost or do not have insurance, please check with your local health department. They often have programs to help families get these and other important vaccinations for free or at a very low cost.
Getting the vaccine doesn’t always completely prevent illness, but it usually keeps the child from getting so sick that they have to go to the hospital.
How to Prevent Rotavirus
Good hygiene is your best defense against rotavirus symptoms and infection. Because the virus can live on surfaces like doorknobs, electronic devices, and changing tables for a long time, you have to be extra careful.
- Wash hands often: Use soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Always wash after changing a diaper or using the bathroom.
- Clean surfaces: Use a disinfectant to wipe down common areas if someone in the house is sick. For infants with diarrhea, you may need to do extra laundry to keep stained bedding and clothes from spreading the infection. Pay close attention to diaper-changing areas, including pads, trash cans, and even the outside of wipe containers.
- Stay home: If your child has diarrhea, keep them home from daycare or school until they have been symptom-free (no fever, diarrhea, or vomiting) without medication for 24 hours.
How to Treat Rotavirus Symptoms at Home
If your child has a mild case, the goal is to keep them comfortable and hydrated. Do not give them anti-diarrheal medicine unless a doctor tells you to, as these can actually keep the virus in the body longer.
- Small sips: Give small amounts of liquid frequently rather than a large glass all at once. For breast- or formula-fed infants, increase the number of feedings but feed smaller amounts at a time.
- Provide water and children’s electrolyte-replacement drinks: Drinks like Pedialyte are even better than plain water because they replace the salts the body loses. (Plain, flavor-free Pedialyte is safe for infants under 6 months, but always check with your pediatrician if you have concerns.)
- Avoid soda, juice, and sports drinks: Sugary drinks, including Gatorade, can actually make diarrhea worse and quicken dehydration. Stick to Pedialyte, water (if over 6 months), breast milk, and formula.
- Provide simple foods: For babies and toddlers eating solid foods, they can and should eat if they are hungry. The best diet for sick tummies is the “BRAT” diet: Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, and Toast. These foods provide tons of nutrients while being easy on upset stomachs. You can also feed them their regular foods if they feel up to it, but avoid salty foods and sugary snacks.
Because it is a virus, there is no medication to treat it directly. However, if your child has a high fever or is uncomfortable from it, you can provide acetaminophen (Tylenol) as directed. Otherwise, the virus will pass on its own.
Questions to Ask Your Pediatrician
If you are worried about your child’s stomach issues, here are some questions you can ask your child’s pediatrician or urgent care healthcare provider.
- Is my child’s diarrhea a sign of a virus or something else?
- What is the best way to keep them hydrated if they keep vomiting?
- When is it safe for my child to go back to daycare?
- How many wet diapers should I be seeing each day?
Again, if you see signs of dehydration, it is vital to seek medical care as soon as possible.
However, as long as your child’s fever stays below dangerous levels and they aren’t becoming dehydrated, you only need to make an appointment if you have questions or concerns.
That said, having a sick kid can be scary, so don’t hesitate to rely on your pediatrician for information and comfort if you’re unsure.
Understanding Rotavirus Symptoms and Treatment
While we do not specialize in pediatrics, we can help you decide if your child simply needs supportive fluids and care or medical intervention.
Parenting can be challenging on the best of days. So when your little one is sick, you want to do everything you can to help them feel better as quickly as possible.
With viruses, that isn’t always easy. So, if your child has a high fever that won’t go down, can’t keep fluids down for more than a few hours, or if you feel like “something isn’t right,” we can help. We provide a safe, affordable space where we can check your child’s vital signs and help you decide on the best next steps for their health.
Fortunately, rotavirus symptoms usually pass on their own, and your child will get better sooner than you think. Schedule an appointment at North Texas Clinic & Rehab today.
