It is a common cause of infection is a common cause of diarrhea in the child care setting. Rotavirus infection usually occurs during the winter months. Some children have no symptoms of rotavirus infection while others may have severe vomiting , watery diarrhea, and fever. In some instances, there may also be a cough or runny nose. Rotavirus diarrhea usually lasts from 4 to 6 days, but may last longer and cause intermittent diarrhea in children who have compromised immune systems.
Infection is spread by the fecal-oral route.
Only a few bacteria are needed to cause an infection and, unlike many of the diarrheal agents in child care settings, shigella may spread through groups of children who are toilet trained as well as through groups of children who are in diapers. A new report shows that zinc supplementation substantially lowers the occurrence of diarrhea and pneumonia, the leading causes of child death in the developing world. And although the study deals primarily with developing nations, it has relevance for Americans, according to one of its co-authors. Copyright 2000 KinderStart. Inc. All rights reserved.