Version July 2025
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What is rotavirus? —
This is a virus (germ) that can infect the intestines and cause diarrhea and vomiting. This kind of infection is called "viral gastroenteritis." In children, rotavirus is a common cause of viral gastroenteritis.
Children can get a rotavirus infection if they:
●Touch an infected person or a surface with the virus on it, and then don't wash their hands
●Eat foods or drink liquids with the virus in them. If people with a rotavirus infection do not wash their hands, they can spread it to food or liquid they touch.
Adults can also get a rotavirus infection, but it is much more common in children.
What are the symptoms of a rotavirus infection? —
Common symptoms include:
●Vomiting
●Diarrhea that is watery but not bloody
●Fever
If your child has vomiting or diarrhea, their body can lose too much water. This is called "dehydration." Symptoms of dehydration can include:
●Fewer wet diapers, or dark yellow or brown urine
●No tears when they cry
●Dry mouth or cracked lips
●Eyes that look sunken in the face
●"Sunken fontanel" (in babies) – A fontanel is a gap between the bones in a baby's skull. When babies are dehydrated, the fontanel on the top of their head can look or feel caved in.
Will my child need tests? —
Maybe. The doctor or nurse should be able to tell if your child has a rotavirus infection by learning about their symptoms and doing an exam.
They might also order tests. These can include:
●Lab tests on a sample of your child's bowel movement
●Blood or urine tests to check for dehydration
How is a rotavirus infection treated? —
Most children get better on their own without treatment.
But it's important to make sure that your child drinks enough fluids so they don't get dehydrated. Your child has enough fluids when:
●Their urine looks pale yellow or clear.
●Your baby has a normal number of wet diapers.
To prevent dehydration:
●Give your baby or young child an "oral rehydration solution" (sample brand name: Pedialyte). You can buy this in a grocery store or pharmacy. In general, they work better than juice, because juice sometimes makes diarrhea worse. But you can also try giving your child apple juice mixed with an equal amount of water.
●If your child is vomiting, wait for 15 to 20 minutes. Then, try to give them a few teaspoons of fluid every few minutes.
●Continue to breastfeed your baby, if they breastfeed.
Do not give your child medicines to stop diarrhea (anti-diarrhea medicines). They can make the infection last longer.
If your child has a severe infection and gets dehydrated, they might need to be treated in the hospital. There, the doctor might give your child fluids through a thin tube that goes into a vein, called an "IV."
Can a rotavirus infection be prevented? —
Yes. Doctors recommend that all babies get a vaccine to prevent the rotavirus infection. Vaccines can prevent certain serious or deadly infections. There are 2 main types of rotavirus vaccines. Depending on the type your baby gets, they will need either 2 or 3 doses.
If your child has a rotavirus infection, to help prevent spreading the infection:
●Keep your child away from other people until they are better.
●Wash your hands with soap and water after you change your child's diaper.
●Do not change your child's diaper near where you prepare food.
●Put diapers in a sealed bag before you throw them out.
●Clean the diaper changing area with alcohol or a bleach and water mixture.
When should I call my child's doctor or nurse? —
Call if your child:
●Has diarrhea that lasts longer than a few days
●Has vomiting that lasts longer than 1 day
●Vomits up blood, has bloody diarrhea, or has severe belly pain
●Hasn't been willing to drink anything for a few hours, or can't keep fluids down
●Hasn't needed to urinate in the past 6 to 8 hours (in older children), or hasn't had a wet diaper for 4 to 6 hours (in babies and young children)
●Has dark urine
●Has a dry mouth, or has few or no tears when they cry
Patient education: Viral gastroenteritis in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Dehydration in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Diarrhea in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Food poisoning (The Basics)
Patient education: Vaccines for babies and children age 0 to 6 years (The Basics)
Patient education: Acute diarrhea in children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Nausea and vomiting in infants and children (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Foodborne illness (food poisoning) (Beyond the Basics)
