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What is rotavirus?

Rotavirus is a virus that causes an infection of the digestive tract. It is a common cause of diarrhea and vomiting in newborns and young children. This illness often occurs in settings where children are in close proximity to one another, such as hospitals and daycare centres. Every child is likely to be infected with rotavirus at least once in the first 5 years of life. It can also be a common cause of diarrhea in the elderly.

Symptoms include fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. The diarrhea can be mild to severe and generally lasts 3-9 days. This type of infection occurs annually, typically starting late fall and continuing through winter and early spring. Severe diarrhea and dehydration occur mainly in children aged 3 to 35 months.

How is it spread?

Rotavirus spreads very easily. The virus can be passed from one person to another by touching a hand contaminated by the virus. Touching a surface or object contaminated by an infected person can also spread the virus. The virus then enters the body through contact with the mouth. Children can spread rotavirus both before and after they develop symptoms. Illness usually begins 3 days after exposure to the virus.

Most children with rotavirus infection recover on their own, but some children become very ill with severe vomiting, diarrhea, and loss of fluids (dehydration). Children with severe diarrhea can lose bodily fluids very quickly and may need to be hospitalized to replace fluids and restore chemical balance. Children who have been infected once can become infected again. The seriousness of infection generally decreases with the number of infections, and first infections tend to be the worst.

How can I prevent it?

• Thorough hand washing is the best prevention. Make sure hands are properly washed with soap and warm water after using the toilet, changing diapers, and before preparing or eating food.
• People ill with diarrhea and rotavirus-like symptoms should be isolated from others. Children should stay home from school and day care when sick.
• In daycare settings, dressing infants with a leak-proof or waterproof cover over the diapers may help reduce spread to others.
• Clean and sanitize washroom surfaces and all hand contact surfaces at least daily or as needed. 
• Rotavirus is resistant to many common disinfectants but is inactivated by chlorine (household bleach). Prepare disinfection solution using 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Surfaces must be cleaned first before being disinfected.
• Dispose of feces and fecally-contaminated material carefully.
• When visiting a healthcare facility or daycare, visitors should always wash their hands upon arrival and after departure.

The Vaccine

The rotavirus vaccines available in Canada are in liquid form (given by mouth) and contain the live virus. The vaccine is given to infants as part of their routine vaccinations. The vaccine contains no preservatives or mercury and is safe for breast fed children.

These vaccines are safe. Serious side effects of the vaccine are rare. Children who get this vaccine are not at increased risk of intussusception (a rare bowel obstruction found with an earlier rotavirus vaccine which is no longer used).

For more information please contact your physician or Public Health at 519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456.