POLOKWANE – Local medical practice, Medpark, on Tuesday, 6 August, posted a warning on their Facebook page regarding cases of Rotavirus in the city.
In the post, Medpark notes that the virus usually affects young children, causing vomiting and diarrhoea.
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According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Rotavirus disease is most common in babies and toddlers, however, older children and adults can also get infected. Symptoms usually take around two days to appear once a person has been exposed to rotavirus.
Mayo Clinic states that initial symptoms are a fever and vomiting, followed by three to eight days of watery diarrhoea and the infection can cause abdominal pain as well.
They also state that a rotavirus infection may cause only mild signs and symptoms or none at all in adults who are otherwise healthy.
As the virus affects children and causes vomiting and diarrhoea, it is important for parents to look out for symptoms of dehydration and loss of appetite.
Symptoms of dehydration include:
- decreased urination
- dry mouth and throat
- feeling dizzy when standing up
- crying with few or no tears and
- unusual sleepiness or fussiness.
Kidshealth.org notes that rotavirus is contagious and is easily passed from one person to another. They also note that infections are common during winter and spring months, especially in group settings like childcare centres.
Children can become infected by putting their fingers in their mouths after touching a contaminated surface such as a toy. It is therefore important to make sure that children wash their hands as often as possible, especially before eating and after using the toilet.
