Parenting information
Do not underestimate infants' vomiting and diarrhoea.
Gastroenteritis causing diarrhoea is common for most people, but it can be dangerous when it occurs in infants and young children.
Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in children worldwide. Almost every young child will have been infected with rotavirus at least once before the age of five, with the majority being children aged two and under.
The incubation period for rotavirus is short, generally less than 48 hours. Patients initially develop acute fever and vomiting. One-third of infants and young children infected with rotavirus will have a high fever of up to 39 degrees Celsius.
Mild cases may experience watery diarrhoea for several days, while severe cases will have persistent vomiting and watery diarrhoea, up to twenty times a day. Gastroenteritis symptoms can last for seven to eight days, leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance in affected children, which can cause complications affecting other organs. In the most severe cases, it can even be fatal.
As there are currently no specific medications for rotavirus, treatment primarily focuses on relieving symptoms.
Rotavirus is highly contagious and cannot be effectively prevented even with good hygiene. Fortunately, there are now preventive vaccines for newborns to receive, which allow them to develop antibodies against rotavirus early on. Countries such as Europe, America, and Australia have included the rotavirus vaccine in their vaccination programmes.
Due to vaccination time limits, parents are advised to consult a healthcare professional within two months of their baby's birth.
Source: Metro Daily
