Virus children diarrhea

The World Health Organization recommends that all countries give infants a rotavirus vaccine. There are two vaccines available:. The vaccines are considered safe and effective, and studies show that they prevent thousands of children from developing rotavirus every year. However, rarely, they can cause a part of the intestine to fold back on itself intussusception , resulting in possibly life-threatening intestinal blockage.

Children who have had intussusception are more likely to have it again after receiving the rotavirus vaccine. The U. Food and Drug Administration recommends that the vaccine not be given to children who have a history of intussusception. For children who don't have a history of intussusception, there is a very small risk that it can develop after the rotavirus vaccine is given.

Even so, the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the risks. If your child has stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, blood in his or her stool, or a change in bowel movements after getting the rotavirus vaccine, contact your doctor immediately. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Rotavirus is a very contagious virus that causes diarrhea. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Epidemiology and prevention of vaccine-preventable diseases: Rotavirus. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Your child may have lab tests to check blood and urine.

A small stool sample is taken and sent to a lab. A sigmoidoscopy. It helps to tell what is causing diarrhea, stomach pain, constipation, abnormal growths, and bleeding.

It uses a short, flexible, lighted tube sigmoidoscope. This tube blows air into the intestine to make it swell. This makes it easier to see inside. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. Dehydration is the major concern with diarrhea. In most cases, treatment includes replacing lost fluids. Antibiotics may be prescribed when bacterial infections are the cause. Children should drink lots of fluids. This helps replace the lost body fluids. If your child is dehydrated, be sure to:.

Offer drinks called glucose-electrolyte solutions. These fluids have the right balance of water, sugar, and salts. Some are available as popsicles. A rotavirus vaccine can prevent diarrhea caused by rotaviruses. Ask your child's healthcare provider which vaccines are right for your child. When you travel, make sure anything your child eats and drinks is safe. This is even more important if you travel to developing countries.

Not drinking unpasteurized milk milk that has not gone through a process to kill certain bacteria. Call your child's provider if your child is less than 6 months old or has any of the following symptoms:.

At the visit, write down the names of new medicines, treatments, or tests, and any new instructions your provider gives you for your child.

If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit. This is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. Diarrhea may be either: Short-term acute. If you have an infant, remember that while spitting up may be an everyday occurrence for your baby, vomiting is not.

Babies vomit for a variety of reasons, many of which may require medical attention. You're most likely to contract viral gastroenteritis when you eat or drink contaminated food or water, or if you share utensils, towels or food with someone who's infected.

Some shellfish, especially raw or undercooked oysters, also can make you sick. Although contaminated drinking water is a cause of viral diarrhea, in many cases the virus is passed through the fecal-oral route — that is, someone with a virus handles food you eat without washing his or her hands after using the toilet.

Each gastrointestinal virus has a season when it's most active. If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, for instance, you're more likely to have rotavirus or norovirus infections between October and April. The main complication of viral gastroenteritis is dehydration — a severe loss of water and essential salts and minerals. If you're healthy and drink enough to replace fluids you lose from vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration shouldn't be a problem.

Infants, older adults and people with suppressed immune systems may become severely dehydrated when they lose more fluids than they can replace. Hospitalization might be needed so that lost fluids can be replaced intravenously. Dehydration can be fatal, but rarely. When you're traveling in other countries, you can become sick from contaminated food or water.

You may be able to reduce your risk by following these tips:. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.