Cope With a Rotavirus Outbreak
What To Do When the Stomach Flu Strikes Your Family
The rotavirus is one contagion that can cause symptoms of the stomach flu. Although there isn't a cure, you can prevent and treat this illness in your family.
If you’ve ever experienced a rotavirus outbreak in your family, you know it can bring a household to its knees. If you’ve been lucky enough to escape this virulent virus, you must learn how to recognize and treat this ailment commonly referred to as the stomach flu.
Know the Signs and Symptoms
The rotavirus can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, and watery diarrhea for up to eight days, according to the CDC. Rotavirus infections peak in the winter, although the virus shows activity from early fall to late spring. This viral stomach flu is extremely common in the United States; in fact, nearly all children will experience a rotavirus infection before the age of five, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Adults can also contract rotavirus, but usually aren’t susceptible to the dehydrating complications that can lead to hospitalization.
Limit the Spread of Rotavirus
As with other viral illnesses, the best way to prevent the spread of rotavirus is by practicing strict hygiene measures. Instruct school-aged children to wash their hands frequently throughout the day, as the virus spreads easily from fecal particles and contaminated body fluids. Caregivers should wash their hands after providing care to sick family members. Wash all soiled bed linens and clothing in hot water, and disinfect hard surfaces and toys with a dilute bleach solution.
Ask your family doctor if you should consider the new rotavirus vaccine for your family. The FDA approved a live oral vaccine called RotaTeq for use in children in 2006.
Provide Care at Home
The most dangerous effects of the rotavirus can arise not from the virus itself, but from its dehydrating effects. Encourage fluids as tolerated throughout the day. Don’t delay in calling the doctor if the patient can’t hold down any fluids or exhibits signs of dehydration.
Sick children can soil their bed linens almost faster than parents can wash them. Changing sheets several times in the middle of the night is exhausting for both child and parent. Make this task easier by covering the mattress with layers of waterproof and fitted sheets. Cover the mattress with a waterproof sheet, topped by a fitted sheet, followed by another waterproof sheet and fitted sheet. When an accident occurs, you can simply strip off the top fitted sheet and waterproof sheet to reveal a clean layer of bedclothes.
You can’t expect a young child to make it to the toilet in the night when nausea strikes. However, if a child has transitioned from the crib to a bed, he may be old enough to try throwing up into a clean receptacle beside his bed. Instead of a small trashcan, which is a very haphazard affair, provide the child with a large, flat storage container beside his bed. Wash with hot water and soap after it is soiled.
When to Call the Doctor
Dehydration can progress quickly in small children, so call the doctor if you notice:
- Crying without tears
- Reduced urination (dry diaper for more than three hours or dark yellow urine)
- Dry oral mucosa or cracked lips
- Reduced skin elasticity (pinched skin remains in a tent shape)
- Sunken eyes
- Extreme listlessness
Read It's Cold and Flu Season Again for other viral survival tips.
