A year's experience of the rotavirus syndrome and its association with respiratory illness. Issue 5 (May 1979)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lewis, H M; Parry, J V; Davies, H A; Parry, R P; Mott, A; Dourmashkin, R R; Sanderson, P J; Tyrrell, D A; Valman, H B
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 54:Issue 5(1979)
• Page Start: 339
• Page End: 346
• Publication Date: 1979-05
• Subjects: Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.54.5.339
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : In a hospital study rotavirus was identified in 51% of 152 children with diarrhoea. These patients showed a clinical pattern that was distinct from patients in whom the diarrhoea was associated with bacteria, other viruses, or no pathogens. A respiratory illness was described in 66% of rotavirus patients and usually preceded the gastrointestinal symptoms. Vomiting lasted between one and 3 days and was curtailed by substituting the normal diet with clear fluids. Watery diarrhoes continued for 4 or 5 days, even when rehydration was by the intravenous rather than the oral route. Prolonged diarrhoea was rare. Most children infected with rotavirus were under 2 years of age, but dehydration was most severe in infants aged between 12 and 18 months. A clinician can thus recognise the rotavirus syndrome and expect spontaneous recovery if adequate rehydration is maintained for a critical few days.