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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffA rotavirus infection usually starts with a fever, followed by three to eight days of watery diarrhea and vomiting. The infection can cause abdominal pain as well. In adults who are otherwise healthy, a rotavirus infection may cause only mild signs and symptoms — or none at all.
When to see a doctor
Call your child's doctor if your child:
- Has severe or bloody diarrhea
- Has frequent episodes of vomiting for more than three hours
- Has a temperature of 103 F (39.4 C) or higher
- Seems lethargic, irritable or in pain
- Has signs or symptoms of dehydration — dry mouth, crying without tears, little or no urination, unusual sleepiness or unresponsiveness
If you're an adult, call your doctor if you:
- Aren't able to keep liquids down for 24 hours
- Have frequent episodes of vomiting for more than one or two days
- Vomit blood
- Have blood in your bowel movements
- Have a temperature higher than 103 F (39.4 C)
- Have signs or symptoms of dehydration — excessive thirst, dry mouth, little or no urination, severe weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness
- About rotavirus. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/rotavirus/about_rotavirus.htm. Accessed July 8, 2010.
- Dormitzer PR. Rotaviruses. In: Mandell GL, et al. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 76th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00150-8--s0025&uniq=208765716&isbn=978-0-443-06839-3&sid=1022307630#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..00150-8%3Bfrom%3Dtoc%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-0-443-06839-3. Accessed July 8, 2010.
- Update on recommendations for the use of rotavirus vaccines. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/BiologicsBloodVaccines/Vaccines/ApprovedProducts/ucm212140.htm. Accessed July 8, 2010.
- Matson DO. Rotavirus vaccines. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 8, 2010.
- Prevention of rotavirus gastroenteritis among infants and children: Recommendations of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2009;58:1. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/rr/rr5802.pdf. Accessed July 8, 2010.
- Diarrhea. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/diarrhea/#children. Accessed July 8, 2010.
- What to do in a medical emergency: Fever. American College of Emergency Physicians. http://www.emergencycareforyou.org/EmergencyManual/WhatToDoInMedicalEmergency/Default.aspx?id=242&terms=fever. Accessed July 20, 2010.
- Steckelberg JM (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 19, 2010.
- Hoecker JL (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. July 26, 2010.
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