Rotavirus: An Overview
Rotavirus, commonly referred to as the “wheel virus,” primarily affects children under the age of five. It belongs to a group of eight strains classified by the letters (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H), with strain A being the most prevalent. This particular strain is responsible for over 90% of rotavirus infections transmitted between humans. While it predominantly affects humans, rotavirus also infects animals. The transmission occurs via the fecal-oral route, often through contaminated hands, surfaces, and even respiratory droplets. A single gram of stool from an infected individual can contain more than 10 trillion infectious particles.
The rotavirus genome consists of 11 double-stranded RNA segments, totaling 18,555 nucleotides. It encodes six structural proteins that form the viral particles known as virions, designated as VP1, VP2, VP3, VP4, VP6, and VP7. Additionally, there are six non-structural proteins referred to as NSP1, NSP2, NSP3, NSP4, NSP5, and NSP6.
Signs and Symptoms of Rotavirus Infection
Infection with rotavirus typically leads to mild gastrointestinal inflammation characterized by nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhea, and low-grade fever. It is common for children to experience the virus once in their lifetime. The incubation period lasts about two days before symptoms manifest, starting with vomiting followed by severe diarrhea, which can last from four to eight days.
Dehydration is the most significant risk associated with rotavirus infections, often leading to serious complications. Symptoms of dehydration include nausea when standing, decreased urine output, and dryness in the mouth and throat. These symptoms can be especially pronounced in the early stages of life. In some cases, symptoms may be mild or absent upon subsequent infections, as the immune system offers protection against severe illness.
Preventing Rotavirus Infection
A variety of oral rehydration solutions and vaccines are utilized to help prevent rotavirus. Two safe and effective vaccines are available: Rotarix, produced by GlaxoSmithKline, and RotaTeq, manufactured by Merck.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends incorporating the rotavirus vaccine into national immunization programs. Consequently, there has been a significant reduction in infection rates in countries that have followed this guidance, particularly in Mexico, where infections among children under two decreased by 65% in 2006. It is advisable for individuals to consult healthcare professionals for diagnosis, symptom evaluation, and understanding the type and severity of the illness.
References
- ↑ Melissa Conrad Stöppler (reviewed 1-6-2018), “Rotavirus Infection”, www.medicinenet.com, Retrieved 30-7-2018.
- ↑ “Rotavirus”, viralzone.expasy.org, Retrieved 30-7-2018.
- ↑ Mayo Clinic Staff (1-4-2018), “Rotavirus”, www.mayoclinic.org, Retrieved 30-7-2018.
- ↑ April Kahn (2-3-2016), “What Causes Dehydration?”, www.healthline.com, Retrieved 30-7-2018.
- ↑ Mayo Clinic Staff (1-4-2018), “Rotavirus”, www.mayoclinic.org, Retrieved 30-7-2018.
- ↑ “WHO recommends use of rotavirus vaccines in all national immunization programmes”, www.who.int, 2-1-2013, Retrieved 30-7-2018.