Thomas was really ill in the new year, he had violent and repeated vomiting and diarrhoea for nearly 2 weeks starting on new years eve.
when i took him to the doctors after the first 48 hours showed no signs of improvement, and was told that it was probably just something he had eaten, and he was fine.
so i took him home, embarrassed at being an "over reacting" first time mum. however things did not improve and he developed signs of dehydration so i took him back and was prescribed oral rehydration sachets and calpol. he did get better, but it took nearly 2 weeks to recover and be able to hold anything down. the doctor was adamant each time i returned (every 2-3 days) that it was just a bug and not to worry.
until today i have just accepted it was a nasty bug. until i found this http://www.rotavirus.org.uk/downloads/Parent%20Information%20Leaflet.pdf
now it seems the "bug" that Thomas had was a form of Gastroenteritis called "rotavirus".
what is rotavirus?Rotavirus is a virus that infects the bowels. It is the most common cause of severe diarrhea among children. It results in the hospitalization of approximately 55,000 children each year in the United States and the death of over 600,000 children worldwide each year. A rotavirus has a characteristic wheel-like appearance when viewed by electron microscopy (the name rotavirus is derived from the Latin rota, meaning "wheel").
What are the symptoms of rotavirus?The time period from initial infection to symptoms (incubation period) for rotavirus disease is around 2 days. Symptoms of the disease include vomiting and watery diarrhea for 3 to 8 days. Fever and abdominal pain also occur frequently. Immunity from repeated infection is incomplete after a rotavirus infection, but repeated infections tend to be less severe than the original infection.
How is rotavirus transmitted?The primary mode of transmission of rotavirus is the passage of the virus in stool to the mouth of another child. There also have been cases of low levels of rotavirus in respiratory tract secretions and other body fluids. Because the virus is stable (remains infective)in the environment, transmission can occur through ingestion of contaminated water or food and contact with contaminated surfaces.
In the United States and other countries with a temperate climate, rotavirus infection has a winter seasonal pattern, with annual epidemics occurring from November to April. The highest rates of illness occur among infants and young children. Most children in the United States have been infected by 2 years of age. Adults also can be infected, although the resulting illness tends to be mild.
How is the diagnosis of rotavirus made?The diagnosis may be made by rapid detection of rotavirus in stool specimens. Strains of rotavirus may be further characterized by enzyme immunoassay or polymerase chain reaction, but such testing is not commonly available or necessary.
How is the disease treated?There is no specific treatment for rotavirus. For persons with healthy immune systems, rotavirus infection of the bowel (gastroenteritis) is a self-limited illness, lasting for only a few days. The treatment consists of increased fluid intake to prevent dehydration. About one in 40 children with rotavirus infection of the bowel requires hospitalization for intravenous fluid.
What are the symptoms of rotavirus?The time period from initial infection to symptoms (incubation period) for rotavirus disease is around 2 days. Symptoms of the disease include vomiting and watery diarrhea for 3 to 8 days. Fever and abdominal pain also occur frequently. Immunity from repeated infection is incomplete after a rotavirus infection, but repeated infections tend to be less severe than the original infection.
How is rotavirus transmitted?The primary mode of transmission of rotavirus is the passage of the virus in stool to the mouth of another child. There also have been cases of low levels of rotavirus in respiratory tract secretions and other body fluids. Because the virus is stable (remains infective)in the environment, transmission can occur through ingestion of contaminated water or food and contact with contaminated surfaces.
In the United States and other countries with a temperate climate, rotavirus infection has a winter seasonal pattern, with annual epidemics occurring from November to April. The highest rates of illness occur among infants and young children. Most children in the United States have been infected by 2 years of age. Adults also can be infected, although the resulting illness tends to be mild.
How is the diagnosis of rotavirus made?The diagnosis may be made by rapid detection of rotavirus in stool specimens. Strains of rotavirus may be further characterized by enzyme immunoassay or polymerase chain reaction, but such testing is not commonly available or necessary.
How is the disease treated?There is no specific treatment for rotavirus. For persons with healthy immune systems, rotavirus infection of the bowel (gastroenteritis) is a self-limited illness, lasting for only a few days. The treatment consists of increased fluid intake to prevent dehydration. About one in 40 children with rotavirus infection of the bowel requires hospitalization for intravenous fluid.
although this still has the same treatment, it explains why we weren't getting sick (despite being vomited and pooed on for 2 weeks) as adults tend to be immune to it once they have had it as children.
I am furious that this wasn't picked up when we repeatedly took him in with all the symptoms listed and i kept saying to the doctor "but if its a bug why is no one else sick who's been in contact with him? why arnt i ill too?"
even though it would have made no difference to the treatment, to be told that this is what it is and that we were doing everything we could, really would have helped. as it was i spent 2 weeks convinced there must be something else wrong as no one else was sick, worrying myself stupid.
so i have done this post to hopefully raise awareness as this condition (although widely recognised and even VACCINATED against in the USA) has only recently been recognised in this country.
here are some helpful websites:
rant over.. for now!
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