Intermediate
Technical
IVT
rotavirus gastroenteritis
Viral diarrheal illness causing severe dehydration in infants and young children, preventable by vaccination.
Full Definition
Rotavirus gastroenteritis is the leading cause of severe diarrheal disease in children worldwide, particularly affecting those under 5 years of age. The infection typically presents with sudden onset of watery diarrhea, vomiting, and fever, often leading to rapid dehydration. Before widespread vaccination, rotavirus was responsible for significant pediatric morbidity and mortality globally. The condition is highly contagious and spreads through the fecal-oral route.
Usage
Usage note: Specify 'rotavirus' when discussing specific pathogen; 'gastroenteritis' alone is too general for diagnostic purposes.
In Context
- "Stool testing confirmed rotavirus gastroenteritis as the cause of the infant's severe dehydration." — Laboratory report
- "Rotavirus gastroenteritis incidence has significantly decreased following routine vaccination implementation." — Epidemiological study
Also known as
rotavirus infection
rotaviral diarrhea
Don't confuse with
norovirus gastroenteritis
bacterial gastroenteritis