Rotavirus Infection in Children – What you need to know

Rotavirus infection may also be called the stomach flu. This condition is caused by a virus. This virus can be passed from person to person very easily (is very contagious). This condition causes sudden watery poop (diarrhea), fever, and throwing up (vomiting).

Having watery poop and throwing up can make your child feel weak and cause your child to get dehydrated. Dehydration can make your child tired and thirsty, have a dry mouth, and pee (urinate) less often. It is important to replace fluids that your child loses from having watery poop or throwing up.

This condition typically goes away on its own. The focus of treatment is to avoid dehydration, and restore lost fluids (rehydration). If your child gets very dehydrated, he or she may need to get fluids through an IV tube.

Follow these instructions at home:

Follow instructions from your child’s doctor about how to care for your child.

Eating and drinking

Follow these recommendations as told by your child’s doctor:

• Give your child an oral rehydration solution (ORS). This is a drink that is sold at pharmacies and stores.
• Encourage your child to drink plenty of clear fluids, such as:
  • Water.
  • Low-calorie popsicles.
  • Fruit juice that has water added (diluted fruit juice).
• Continue to breastfeed or bottle-feed your young child. Do not give your infant extra water.
• Encourage your child to eat soft foods in small amounts every 3–4 hours, if your child is eating solid food. Continue your child’s normal diet, but avoid spicy or fatty foods, such as french fries and pizza.
• Avoid giving your child fluids that contain a lot of sugar or caffeine, such as sports drinks and soda.

General instructions

• Have your child drink enough fluid to keep his or her pee (urine) clear or pale yellow. Ask your child’s doctor for rehydration instructions.
• Have your child rest at home while he or she gets better.
• Make sure that you and your child wash your hands often. If you cannot use soap and water, use hand sanitizer.
• Make sure that all people in your household wash their hands well and often.
• Give over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s doctor.
• Watch your child’s condition for any changes.
• Give your child a warm bath to help with any pain from having watery poop.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s doctor. This is important.
• Do not let your child lie down or bend over right after eating.
• Talk to your child’s doctor about the rotavirus vaccine.

Contact a doctor if:

• Your child has a fever.
• Your child will not drink fluids.
• Your child cannot eat or drink without throwing up.
• Your child’s symptoms get worse.
• Your child has new symptoms.
• Your child feels lightheaded or dizzy.
• Your child has a headache.
• Your child has muscle cramps.

Get help right away if:

• You notice signs of dehydration in your child, such as:
  • No pee in 8–12 hours.
  • Cracked lips.
  • Not making tears while crying.
  • Dry mouth.
  • Sunken eyes.
  • Sleepiness.
  • Weakness.
• Your child throws up for more than 24 hours.
• Your child throws up blood.
• Your child’s throw up looks like coffee grounds.
• Your child has bloody or black poop (stools), or poop that looks like tar.
• Your child has a very bad headache, a stiff neck, or both.
• Your child has a rash.
• Your child has belly pain.
• Your child has trouble breathing or is breathing very quickly.
• Your child’s heart rate is very quickly.
• Your child feels cold and clammy to the touch.
• Your child seems confused.
• Your child has pain while peeing.