Severe stomach virus cases rising in Florida

Florida doctors and health officials are warning that rotavirus cases are climbing, with the biggest danger falling on babies and toddlers who can dehydrate fast. (patch.com) Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that infects the stomach and intestines, causing vomiting, watery diarrhea, fever and stomach pain that usually begin about two days after exposure and can last three to eight days. (cdc.gov) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says infants and young children are the group most likely to get severe disease, and dehydration can show up as fewer wet diapers, a dry mouth, no tears when crying, unusual sleepiness or unusual fussiness. (cdc.gov) The virus spreads through tiny traces of stool that get onto hands, toys, food, surfaces or shared objects, which is why child care settings and households with diaper changes can see it move quickly from one child to another. (healthychildren.org) This spring’s concern is not just Florida. National reports published in April said rotavirus activity has been rising across the United States since January, with doctors seeing cases earlier in the season than usual. (advisory.com, theconversation.com) The virus used to send large numbers of children to hospitals before vaccination became routine. The Conversation, citing federal data, reported that rotavirus vaccines have cut hospitalizations by about 80% over the past two decades. (theconversation.com, cdc.gov) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends rotavirus vaccination for infants, with two or three oral doses depending on the brand, starting at 2 months old. The vaccine series must begin before 15 weeks of age and be finished before 8 months. (cdc.gov, cdc.gov) There is no specific antiviral medicine for rotavirus, so treatment usually centers on fluids and watching for dehydration. The American Academy of Pediatrics says oral rehydration is the main treatment for most children with mild to moderate dehydration. (cdc.gov, pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) Parents are usually told to seek urgent care if a child cannot keep liquids down, has signs of dehydration, or becomes hard to wake. In Florida, the immediate message from health officials is to vaccinate on schedule, wash hands carefully and watch sick young children closely before a stomach virus turns into a hospital visit. (healthychildren.org, patch.com)