Rotavirus is an intestinal infection that is common in children. Characteristic signs are fever, diarrhea, nausea. These symptoms cause very serious anxiety in parents, and dehydration of the baby's body is also very dangerous. It is important to consult a pediatrician in a timely manner. If therapy is not carried out, then there may be serious complications for the child's body.
Causes of occurrence
For successful treatment, you need to understand exactly how long a rotavirus infection lasts in a child, as well as exactly how it is transmitted. The disease is epidemic. A feature of the infection is resistance in the environment. Rotavirus lives in water for about 2 months, on objects for up to 1 month, and in feces for more than 6 months. The infection does not die under the influence of disinfectants, acids, but is afraid of high temperatures.
It only takes a small amount to provoke an infectionpathogenic microorganisms. Doctors distinguish such ways of infection as:
- alimentary - the virus is found in feces or vomit;
- contact household;
- aerogenic - the infection spreads through the air.
Children over the age of 12 are much less susceptible to this disease. The clinical picture may not be too pronounced. There is little diarrhea and no vomiting at all.
Rotavirus infection is mostly associated with dirty hands. This is the most common way of infection. The infection mechanism includes the following steps:
- after going to the toilet a person does not wash their hands;
- takes cutlery, food with dirty hands;
- the virus is transmitted to a he althy person and begins to multiply actively in the intestines.
The carriers of the virus are generally quite he althy outwardly people. When rotavirus is latent, the person may feel well and have no symptoms at all.
Rotavirus is quite often transmitted through household contact, especially in children's groups, and there are also outbreaks of infection in the hospital. You can get infected by close proximity to a sick person, even with careful hygiene.
Main symptoms
How long does a rotavirus infection last in children, no one can say for sure, since a lot depends on the characteristics of the body and treatment. The illness usually lasts about a week. Rotavirus poses a great danger, especially to infants. He still hasimmunity is only gaining strength.
If a child has diarrhea, he is constantly sick, and also vomiting appears, an urgent need to see a doctor. Treatment must be started as soon as the diagnosis is made. Rotavirus is especially dangerous on the 5th day after the onset of symptoms. You need to know exactly how long a rotavirus infection lasts in a child, and what signs are characteristic of it. Among the main symptoms, it is necessary to highlight such as:
- drowsy;
- dry skin;
- minor salivation;
- little urine is produced.
All these signs require an urgent consultation with a doctor. If not treated, it will provoke complications. It is necessary to highlight such signs as:
- nasal congestion and mucous discharge;
- cough;
- conjunctivitis or otitis media;
- temperature increase.
There is also a sharp pain and rumbling in the abdomen, nausea and vomiting. All these signs lead to a very rapid loss of fluid. The younger the child, the more dangerous it is for him to become dehydrated.
How long is the incubation period
After the virus enters the body, the symptoms do not appear immediately. The infection may not show itself at all for several days. It acquires a sharp form a little later.
Many are interested in how long a rotavirus infection lasts in a child and how long the incubation period lasts. It all depends on the state of the baby's body. Maximumthe incubation period is 5 days. All this time, the child's he alth does not worsen.
At the end of the incubation period, the child begins to rise in temperature, feel sick, have diarrhea, and feel weak. To prevent the occurrence of dangerous complications, the infection must be treated immediately. You can further strengthen and diversify the child's diet, give him as much vitamin as possible.
Parents may not immediately detect the course of the disease, as the symptoms almost do not manifest themselves. If a child came into contact with sick children in kindergarten, then it is imperative to carry out prophylaxis.
How long does diarrhea last
How many days a rotavirus infection lasts in a child depends largely on the strain of the pathogen and the state of the baby's immune system. The diarrhea continues for about 5 days. At this time, the child becomes capricious, lethargic, his appetite disappears.
From the very beginning of the course of rotavirus, the stool is liquid, frothy, watery with a sharp and unpleasant odor. Mucus may be present in the feces. With a mild course of the disease, stools acquire a mushy consistency. Often, the diarrhea that occurs with rotavirus is accompanied by painful and pulling sensations in the abdomen, as well as loud rumbling.
How long does the vomiting last
You need to know exactly not only how long a rotavirus infection lasts in a child, but also for how many days the symptoms of the disease are observed. In children aged 1-5 years, at the initial stage of the course of the disease, there is a pronouncedsymptomatology. Rotavirus can leak against the background of SARS with redness of the throat, cough, runny nose.
How many days a rotavirus infection lasts in a child and vomiting continues, largely depends on the immunity and age of the baby. In infants, the type of feeding is of particular importance. Mother's milk contains the required antibodies that support the baby's immunity. A child is much easier to tolerate intestinal flu than an artificial one.
With low immunity, the disease proceeds in a severe form, lasts 7-10 days with pronounced symptoms and frequent vomiting. When the body is affected by moderately severe rotavirus, vomiting lasts mainly 3-5 days.
If the baby's immune system is strong enough and the disease proceeds in the mildest form, then vomiting disappears in a day or maybe only 1-2 times. As the child grows older, with the course of rotavirus, the symptoms appear much less acute, and in the case of re-infection, there is already immunity and the signs of the disease are mostly erased.
How long does the illness last
How long the rotavirus infection lasts is of interest to all parents, as they are very worried about their child. On average, the duration of the course of the disease is 5-7 days, but it takes about 10 days to fully recover.
It is necessary to at least approximately understand how long the contagious period lasts with rotavirus infection, as it is quickly transmitted. A sick person remains the main source of rotavirus for all daysthe course of the disease. In addition, within 10 days after the disappearance of symptoms, the child's secretions still contain the pathogen. Some doctors say that a child remains contagious for a whole month from the moment the first signs appear.
Child mortality from rotavirus is simply amazing. That is why, at the slightest suspicion of the course of the disease, you should immediately consult a doctor and fight the infection under the supervision of a specialist.
Many people are interested not only in how many days a rotavirus infection lasts, but also whether it is possible to become infected again after recovery. Yes, this is quite possible and happens quite often. As the child grows older, his digestive tract becomes more resistant to various pathogens, immunity is strengthened, so adults are affected by rotavirus much less often.
How long a rotavirus infection lasts largely depends on immunity, the individual characteristics of the digestive system, and the presence of certain diseases. However, it is worth remembering that not all children suffer from a severe form of the disease.
Diagnostics
Deterioration of well-being can be associated with many other infections that cause diarrhea and vomiting. That is why a comprehensive examination is needed to accurately diagnose the disease. To know how to carry out treatment, you need to pass a series of tests.
Stool microscopy will help determine the presence of the virus. Serological testing of blood serum helps to identify specific antibodies. Latera couple of hours after the test, you can get a result that will help you choose the right treatment.
You can purchase a test and do it yourself if signs of illness appear. The duration of rotavirus infection in children largely depends on the timely detection of the disease and the correctness of the treatment.
Features of treatment
How long the rotavirus infection lasts depends largely on the timeliness and correctness of the therapy. There is no specific method of treatment. All therapeutic techniques are aimed at eliminating the unpleasant symptoms of infection. To develop immunity in a child, you need to follow a special diet. The doctor may prescribe special drugs, namely:
- antispasmodics;
- antipyretic;
- immunotropic drugs.
Additionally, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics, but only after the diagnosis. The course of therapy and dosage largely depends on the age of the baby and can last 5 days.
To prevent severe dehydration, you need to give your child to drink as often as possible. This will help maintain the balance of fluid in the body and create the required conditions for the full functioning of the body. Initially, the child is given 1 tsp. liquid, and then the amount is gradually increased. You can also give your baby solutions such as:
- "Rehydron";
- "Humana";
- Oralit.
To remove toxic substances from the body, babygive "Smecta" or activated charcoal. To bring down the high temperature, you can use Nurofen, Paracetamol, Cefekon suppositories.
If the child has convulsions and a very high temperature, it can be wiped with saline. When rumbling and abdominal pain appear, the baby is given:
- "Latsidophil";
- No-Shpu;
- Riobal.
After the appetite is restored, and it will be seen that the microflora has recovered, and the diarrhea has passed, the child is prescribed "Baktisubtil". The capsule, pre-diluted in water, should be taken twice a day, one hour before meals. Treatment is carried out for 5 days.
Rotavirus in infants
This disease affects adults and children. The disease is especially dangerous for babies under one year old, so it is important for parents to know how long rotavirus infection lasts in infants and how to help the child.
Once in the body, the virus attacks the intestines and cells of its mucosa within 1-5 days. That is how long the incubation period lasts. Then there is a rapid increase in symptoms. In infants, the course of rotavirus is very severe and the disease begins with symptoms such as:
- temperature increase;
- severe diarrhea;
- vomiting, sometimes with mucus;
- loss of appetite;
- abdominal pain;
- lethargy and weakness;
- throat redness;
- runny nose, enlarged tonsils;
- cough;
- convulsions and loss of consciousness (in severe cases).
Child has frequentfoul-smelling watery stools. If there are blotches of blood, it means that the deterioration of he alth was provoked by another virus.
When such symptoms appear, it is imperative to call an ambulance, as there may be very severe dehydration of the child's body.
Possible Complications
Children often have a positive outcome of rotavirus infection. Incorrect and untimely treatment can provoke various kinds of complications, namely:
- dehydration;
- dysbacteriosis;
- weakened immunity.
Dehydration is considered a very dangerous complication, as it is associated with the rapid course of rotavirus. The child's body literally dries up with constant vomiting, diarrhea and fever. With a weakened immune system, repeated SARS and rotavirus infection are possible.
Prophylaxis
It is necessary not only to know at least approximately how long the acute period of a rotavirus infection lasts, what is typical for it, how treatment is carried out, but also how the onset of the disease can be prevented. It is necessary to follow the basic rules of hygiene, teach children to wash their hands with soap and water after each visit to the toilet, walk, before eating.
Special attention should be paid to cleaning the apartment and regular thorough disinfection of all children's toys. During an outbreak, it is important to avoid contact with babies who are sick with rotavirus. It is important to avoid drinking tap water. Also very importantrotavirus vaccination matters.
