Rotavirus

Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that is the most common cause of severe diarrheal illness in infants and young children worldwide. The virus infects the cells lining the small intestine, causing acute gastroenteritis characterized by vomiting, watery diarrhea, and sometimes fever and abdominal pain. Dehydration is a serious risk, particularly in young children and infants who can rapidly lose body fluids. Spread primarily via the fecal-oral route, rotavirus outbreaks often occur in childcare settings and can be mitigated by good hygiene practices. The virus has a distinctive wheel-like appearance under electron microscopy, hence the name "rota," which is Latin for "wheel."

To combat this global health concern, vaccines against rotavirus have been developed and are advised as part of the routine immunization schedule for infants in many countries. These vaccines have proven effective in reducing the incidence of severe rotavirus infections and the associated hospitalizations and deaths. Despite the virus being able to survive for long periods of time on surfaces and being shed in high concentrations in the stool of infected individuals, vaccination along with proper sanitary measures have made significant strides in controlling the spread of rotavirus, thereby reducing the burden of disease.