โรคอุจจาระร่วงเฉียบพลันจากเชื้อไวรัสโรต้า  (Rotavirus gastroenteritis)

<p>Did you know that the global outbreak of diarrhea causes at least 600,000 children in developing countries to die each year? One of the leading causes is the rotavirus (Rotavirus gastroenteritis) &#8230; Why is this virus so dangerous? Let&#8217;s hear the answer from <span style="color: #00826a;"><strong>Dr. Panida Saweangsak</strong></span>, a pediatric gastroenterologist and hepatologist at the Child Health Center, Phyathai 3 Hospital.</p>
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<h4><span style="color: #00826a;">These behaviors increase the risk of rotavirus infection</span></h4>
<p><span style="color: #00826a;"><strong>Dr. Panida</strong></span> explains that this virus enters the body through the mouth by consuming contaminated food or water, or by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus, including children sucking their fingers. Once rotavirus enters the body, it has an incubation period of about 48-72 hours, then it destroys the intestinal lining, causing a deficiency of the enzyme lactase, which results in poor digestion of milk sugar. It also reduces the absorption of water and electrolytes in the intestinal wall, leading to severe diarrhea, which may cause dehydration.</p>
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<h4><span style="color: #00826a;">If your child shows these symptoms, see a doctor immediately</span></h4>
<p>Initially, infected children will have a fever, with severe cases having a high fever of 38-39 degrees Celsius, nausea, vomiting, and watery diarrhea lasting 2-7 days (20% may have mucus in stool). Children may have abdominal pain, but physical examination usually shows no localized pain or abdominal muscle guarding. They may be irritable, fussy, or lethargic, and have respiratory symptoms such as cough, sore throat, ear infection, and pneumonia.</p>
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<p>However, if these symptoms occur, <span style="color: #00826a;"><strong>Dr. Panida</strong></span> recommends taking the child to see a doctor immediately:</p>
<ol>
<li>Passing large amounts of watery stool along with vomiting or poor intake leading to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance</li>
<li>Passing stool with mucus and blood along with high fever</li>
<li>At risk of bloodstream infection, including low urine output, altered consciousness, lethargy, restlessness, cold extremities, rapid and weak pulse, etc.</li>
<li>Abdominal pain with tenderness on palpation or a rigid abdomen, vomiting bile-stained fluid, which should raise suspicion of surgical conditions such as appendicitis, intussusception, or intestinal obstruction</li>
</ol>
<h4><span style="color: #00826a;">These patients are at risk of severe dehydration</span></h4>
<p><span style="color: #00826a;"><strong>Dr. Panida</strong></span> explains that patients at risk of dehydration who require special care include:</p>
<ol>
<li>Children under 6 months old, young children, or the elderly</li>
<li>Those with pre-existing chronic diseases</li>
<li>Severe symptoms such as vomiting more than 4 times a day or diarrhea more than 8 times a day</li>
</ol>
<p>They may have severe vomiting or diarrhea, very poor intake, or severe dehydration, which can cause dangerous complications from dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, leading to shock and low blood pressure. They should be admitted to the hospital for intravenous fluids, symptomatic treatment, and close monitoring.</p>
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<h4><span style="color: #00826a;">How to diagnose and treat rotavirus infection</span></h4>
<p>Doctors diagnose mainly based on history and physical examination, and can perform additional tests by collecting stool samples for laboratory testing to detect viral antigens in the stool, with about 90% specificity.</p>
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<p>As for treatment, Dr. Panida says there is currently no specific medication to eliminate this virus. Treatment is supportive, correcting dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, and providing age-appropriate nutrition. Most symptoms improve within 5-7 days.</p>
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<h4><span style="color: #00826a;">How to protect yourself from rotavirus</span></h4>
<ul>
<li>Currently, there is a rotavirus vaccine that can reduce the severity of symptoms, shorten hospital stays, and reduce mortality from rotavirus infection.</li>
<li>Generally, paying attention to hygiene such as “eat hot food, use a shared spoon, wash hands” helps reduce infection and transmission.</li>
</ul>
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<div style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: #00826a;"><strong>Dr. Panida Saweangsak</strong></span></div>
<div style="text-align: right;">Pediatric Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist</div>
<div style="text-align: right;">Child and Adolescent Health Center, Phyathai 3 Hospital</div>


Currently, there is a rotavirus vaccine that can reduce the severity of symptoms, shorten hospital stays, and decrease the mortality rate from rotavirus infection. Meanwhile, "eating hot food, using a shared spoon, and washing hands" helps reduce infection and transmission problems.

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Acute diarrhea disease caused by rotavirus (Rotavirus gastroenteritis)

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