Rotavirus
This is a common cause of viral gastroenteritis for babies and pre-school children. It is usually more severe than other types of gastroenteritis, ranging from mild to potentially life-threatening. It is caused by close person-to-person contact and touching contaminated hands, faeces (poo) and vomit.
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Time from exposure to illness (incubation period): 1-3 days.
Signs and symptoms
- Vomiting.
- Sudden onset of diarrhoea.
- Fever.
- Dehydration.
- Drowsiness.
See your doctor immediately or go to the Emergency department of your local hospital if your child worsens, refuses to drink or becomes very drowsy or listless.
Your doctor will need to report any outbreaks to the local Public Health Unit so other people who might be infected can be contacted.
Treatment at home
- Plenty of rest.
- Plenty of fluids.
- Oral rehydration solution (available from the pharmacy).
If your baby is under 6 months
- Don’t try to manage it yourself – contact your doctor straight away.
- Continue to breastfeed – small, frequent feeds are recommended.
- If bottle feeding, stop giving formula and instead offer 50ml of boiled water cooled to room temperature, or oral rehydration solution from the pharmacist, every hour until you see the doctor.
Infectious period
Children usually recover within 5 days. Keep sick babies and children at home as this infection spreads rapidly. Once they recover, their faeces can remain infectious for up to 2 months. If you do not have your child immunised against rotavirus, it is possible to be infected more than once.
