Rotavirus Gastroenteritis

Rotavirus Gastroenteritis

    * Introduction
    * Pathogenesis and causes
    * Signs and symptoms
    * Diagnosis
    * Treatment
Rotavirus is one of the few viruses that cause gastroenteritis. It is part of the family Reoviridae. Rotavirus infection is a self-limiting. Loss of fluid through the seat can be dramatic and death by dehydration is common especially in developing countries.
Symptoms begin 2 days after exposure and include anorexia, mild fever, watery diarrhea without blood, vomiting and abdominal cramps. Physical examination showed signs of dehydration: tachycardia, sunken eyes, dry skin, dry mucous membranes, stimulates the production of diarrhea, rectal examination, oliguria.
Rotavirus infection attack in winter, but can occur throughout the year in developing countries. Almost every child of 5 years will contract the infection at a time. before introducing the rotavirus vaccine infection mortality rates have increased. Approximately 527. 000 deaths in children under 5 worldwide are quantified by rotavirus. Virtually all these deaths are caused by hypovolemia. Significant morbidity is rare, but dehydration and shock can cause kidney damage or ischemic central nervous system. Children who become dehydrated may develop deep vein thrombosis or cerebral venous thrombosis.
The key to therapy is to maintain hydration rotavirus infection. Hyperosmolar fluids is administered orally. Once resolved vomiting child can be fed with standard soy-based formulas. They allow a proper healing of the bowel and energy input. Antiemetic and antidiareicele presents a particular risk for children under five months affected by rotavirus and should be avoided. He was released a vaccine for general administration in 1999. Despite promising results Rotashield vaccine was withdrawn from the market in 1999 because of cause and effect relationship between vaccine and some cases of intussusceptie.
In February 2006 approved the issuance of another market known as RotaTeq vaccine. The administration has been recommended for children in three separate doses at age 2, 4 and 6 months. In April 2008 was approved another oral vaccine Rotarix for the prevention of gastroenteritis. Rotavirus infection prognosis is excellent as long as adequate hydration is maintained. The most important complication of infection is dehydration. It is possible and multiple organ failure leading to shock or even death. Most children recover intro week after symptom onset. Rotavirus enteritis has important long-term sequelae. Reinfection is a common phenomenon.