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Summer 2005 - Article 5

Disinfectant Update
Rotavirus

Rotavirus infection can cause gastroenteritis (diarrhea). It commonly afflicts children under the age of 5. Almost all children have had the infection by age 3. Adults infected usually show no symptoms or very mild symptoms. The virus is responsible for 3 million cases of diarrhea and 55,000 hospitalizations annually in the United States. Worldwide, it results in hundreds of thousands of deaths, mainly in underdeveloped countries.

The Rotavirus spreads very easily, it’s similar to the Norwalk virus (see the Winter 2003 issue of Essentially Speaking). It is transmitted by hand-to-mouth contact with feces from an infected person. Touching a surface or object that has been contaminated by an infected person easily transmits the virus. Infected persons can spread Rotavirus before and after symptoms develop. Its high environmental stability means it can be transmitted through ingestion of contaminated food or water – especially prepared foods that do not require cooking such as salads and fruit platters.

Most children with Rotavirus diarrhea recover on their own in a couple of days. Those becoming more severely ill may need hospitalization for dehydration. The virus becomes less severe with each infection – the first produces the most severe symptoms.

Like the Norwalk virus, most quats are not efficacious against Rotavirus. High concentrations of bleach and phenolics are generally recommended, but both of these products have safety issues and are corrosive. The best defense against most viruses like Rotavirus is frequent, thorough hand washing and good housekeeping practices.