Rotavirus is transmitted primarily by fecal-oral contact3 via contaminated objects or surfaces,4,5 although airborne transmission* has also been reported.

Contagious

Rotavirus is a resilient virus that is highly contagious.8,13 It takes as few as 10 infectious particles/mL to establish infection.3 In contrast, a child infected with rotavirus may shed as many as 100 billion rotavirus particles per mL of feces.3 What's more, infected infants may shed rotavirus in high concentrations before any symptoms begin to show and may continue to shed even after symptoms have dissipated.3,8

Rotavirus is rapidly and easily transmitted from child to child or from surface to child, as it can survive for long periods of time on fomites and hard surfaces.4,5

Rotaviruses are relatively resistant to most soaps and disinfectants,5 and so may retain infectivity over long periods of time and persist in the environment.14,15

Unavoidable

Because rotavirus is highly prevalent and highly contagious, it is practically unavoidable.8 It infects children without regard to general health, ethnicity, culture, socioeconomic status, hygiene, or quality of water, food, or sanitation.8 By
3-5 years of age, almost all children will have been infected with rotavirus.2

A study conducted by Velázquez et al states that virtually every child (96%) was infected with rotavirus at least once by 24 months of age. More than two thirds of children were infected more than once. The cumulative probability of first and subsequent rotavirus infections during the first 2 years of life is depicted in the chart below.7

Adapted from Velázquez FR et al7

A cohort of 200 Mexican infants was followed from birth to 2 years of age and monitored weekly for rotavirus infection.

Rotavirus:

  • Is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children.3,9
  • In Canada, it has been estimated that annually, rotavirus causes up to:10
    • 56,000 physician visits (95% Credibility Interval: 27,000-56,000)
    • 27,000 emergency room (ER) visits [95% Credibility Interval: 9,000-27,000], of which up to 7,000 [Credibility Interval: 4,200-7,000] infants and children are admitted to the hospital

The epidemiological and economic burden of rotavirus in Canada was estimated using a mathematical model that consolidated information from various sources. Estimated outcomes included rotavirus gastroenteritis related physician consultations, ER visits, hospitalizations, as well as parent/caregiver work loss and out-of-pocket expenses.

Unpredictable

  • The severity of rotavirus infection ranges from asymptomatic infection to severe dehydrating gastroenteritis, which can lead to hospitalization in some cases.3,8
  • Rotavirus gastroenteritis can be unpredictable in its course and severity and can lead to rapid deterioration in some cases.8,11
  • There are no reliable predictors to determine whether any given child is at risk for serious disease.8
  • The disease can lead to serious complications, even for healthy infants.8,10

* Ijaz MK at al. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis. 1994 May;17(2):91-8; Cook MS et al. Bull World Health Organ. 1990;68(2)171-7; Ijaz MK et al. Can J Microbiol. 1985 Aug;31(8):681-5; Sattar SA et al. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1984 Apr;47(4):879-81.

PATIENT STORIES
Read about parents dealing with rotavirus.
This website is for information purposes only. We do not collect personal information on this website.