Acute rotavirus gastroenteritis explained

It is particularly troublesome in babies and young children, although people of any age can be infected. Replacing lost fluid in small, frequent amounts and watching urine output and alertness are central to home care.

Rotavirus inflames the lining of the small intestine, reducing its ability to absorb water and salts. The illness commonly presents with watery diarrhoea, vomiting, fever, abdominal discomfort and reduced appetite. Fluid can be lost faster than it is replaced, especially when vomiting makes drinking difficult.

The virus spreads easily through tiny traces of stool on hands, nappies, toilets, toys and shared surfaces. Careful handwashing with soap and water, safe nappy disposal and cleaning frequently touched surfaces help reduce spread within a household.

Offer oral rehydration solution in frequent small sips, continuing after each loose stool. If vomiting occurs, pause briefly and restart more slowly. Continue breastfeeding and, once tolerated, offer normal age-appropriate foods rather than forcing a large meal.

Avoid making homemade salt mixtures because inaccurate proportions can be harmful. Do not give anti-diarrhoeal medicine to a child unless a clinician directs you. Keep the unwell person away from food preparation and do not share towels or eating utensils.

Get urgent medical advice if a baby or child is unusually sleepy or irritable, has a dry mouth, produces very little urine, has sunken eyes, cannot keep fluids down or is becoming weaker. Babies, older adults and people with significant health conditions can deteriorate more quickly.

Seek emergency care for difficulty waking, collapse, breathing difficulty, a seizure, severe persistent abdominal pain, green vomit, blood in vomit or stool, or signs of severe dehydration. A clinician should also assess symptoms that are worsening rather than settling.

Tell the clinician how often vomiting and diarrhoea are occurring, how much fluid is staying down and when urine was last passed. Ask how much oral rehydration solution to offer, whether any medicine should be avoided and what change would require a return for assessment.