Rotaviral Diseases and Their Implications

Abstract

Rotaviruses (Latin rota, “wheel”), the name derived from the wheel-like appearance of the virions when viewed by negative-contrast electron microscopy Rotavirus, are one of the foremost causes of rigorous peadiatric diarrhea globally. According to WHO, it is the primary cause of severe diarrhea among young children, leading to 4.5 million hospitalizations and more than 700,000 deaths of children aged 5 and under annually. The viruses are present in the stool of an infected person and can remain viable for a long time on contaminated surfaces, including people’s hands. They are transmitted by fecal-oral route. Fecal contamination of food and water are common reservoirs and fingers, flies and fomites play vehicular role in transmission of rotaviruses. Both symptomatic and asymptomatic infections can lead to viral transmission due to shedding of viruses, often observed in close contacts, day care centers or via infected food handlers or healthcare workers. The disease manifested the symptoms of rotavirus infection, which may last up to 8 days and comprises fever, nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and frequent, watery diarrhea. Two types of the rotavirus vaccine RotaTeq (RV5) and Rotarix (RV1) are available. Both vaccines are administrated orally, not as a shot. This chapter focuses on new information related to the clinical presentation and pathogenesis of rotavirus infection and its implications.