Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that causes inflammation in the stomach and intestines, leading to severe diarrhea, vomiting, fever, belly pain, and dehydration in infants, young children, and some adults
. It is the most common cause of diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide
. The virus spreads easily through hand-to-mouth contact and can remain infectious on surfaces that haven't been disinfected for weeks or months
. Rotavirus is present in an infected person's stool two days before symptoms appear and for up to 10 days after symptoms lessen
. Although rotavirus infections are unpleasant, they can usually be treated at home with extra fluids to prevent dehydration
. Occasionally, severe dehydration requires receiving fluids through a vein (intravenously) in the hospital
. Good hygiene, such as washing hands regularly, is important, but vaccination is the best way to prevent rotavirus infection
. The rotavirus vaccines, Rotarix and RotaTeq, can protect children from getting rotavirus or make their symptoms less severe if they do get it
