The virus is highly contagious and can infect nearly all young children, according to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases
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NEED TO KNOW
- Medical experts say there has been a spike in rotavirus cases this year
- Rotavirus is mainly found in young children, and can cause fevers, vomiting and dehydration
- There is no treatment for the virus, but vaccines are recommended at an early age
A potentially deadly virus has been showing increased growth in America this year, according to a new report.
Ben Lopman, an infectious disease epidemiologist now at Emory University, recalled how his son contracted rotavirus back in 2008 when he was just 18 months old in a Wednesday, April 15, interview with NBC News.
“It was scary,” Lopman said, noting that in those days vaccines had not been approved in the United Kingdom, where he lived at the time. “It also reminded me how severe this disease can be for any kid.”
The virus is highly contagious and can infect nearly all young children, according to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID).
It is most commonly known for causing severe diarrhea, and according to the agency, it is responsible for up to 70,000 hospitalizations annually. Experts recommend that children get the vaccine for rotavirus before their 5th birthday.
Adults have less of a chance of contracting the virus.
Since July 2024, the CDC has announced two “safe and effective” rotavirus vaccines approved for use in infants within the United States.
Dr. Marlene Wolfe works with WastewaterScan as a program director and co-principal investigator for the academic program, which was established through Stanford University in partnership with Emory University.
She told NBC News that America has seen a jump in cases since January.
“We’re seeing a lot of rotavirus in wastewater right now, definitely very high levels and that indicates to us that there are high levels of rotavirus infections in these communities,” Dr. Wolfe told the outlet.
Dr. Stephanie Deleon said Oklahoma City has also been seeing cases of rotavirus in children, noting that they come in for treatment for vomiting and fevers of more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
“Both of those go away pretty quickly, within a day to a day and a half,” Dr. Deleon said. However, diarrhea is also a symptom seen later, and can be as intense as “20-plus episodes per day.”
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In addition to fevers and continuous, watery diarrhea, rotavirus symptoms in babies and children can also include loss of appetite and dehydration, per the NFID.
These conditions typically begin about two days after the child has been exposed to rotavirus but could last between three and nine days.
The agency recommends vaccinations as the best course of prevention, as there is no treatment for rotavirus. Parents or caretakers of any unvaccinated child who contracts the virus are advised to make sure the child has lots of fluids.
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