Rotavirus - Learn about Rotavirus, Its Definition, Transmission, Symptoms, Vaccine, Prevention, Treatment & More facts for UPSC Exam!

Rotavirus is a double-stranded RNA virus genus in the Reoviridae family. It is a highly contagious virus that causes severe diarrhea and vomiting in infants and children less than 5 years of age. Dehydration can be deadly if it is not treated.

 In India, 22% of children under 5 who die from diarrheal illness are infected with rotavirus. However, two indigenously manufactured rotavirus vaccines, Rotavac and Rotasiil, are available in India under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) and have been proven safe, immunogenic, and efficacious.

This topic of ‘Rotavirus’ is important from the perspective of the UPSC IAS Examination which falls under General Studies Paper 2 (Mains) and General Studies Paper 1 (Preliminary) and particularly in the Science & Technology section. In this article, we shall discuss ‘Rotavirus’ and learn about Its definition, transmission, causes, symptoms, vaccine, and prevention & more in detail to boost your UPSC IAS Exam preparation with UPSC Coaching.

What is a Rotavirus Disease?

The  Rotavirus Disease is described in more detail below:

• Rotavirus is a highly contagious disease caused by the rotavirus virus, which causes diarrhoea and other symptoms in the intestine.
• The vast majority of children are infected before they reach the age of three, and in most developing countries before they reach the age of one.
• It is responsible for about 10% of all under-five deaths in India each year.

History of Rotavirus

• Ruth Frances Bishop and her associates used electron micrography in 1973 to find a virus particle in the intestinal tissue of children who had diarrhoea.
• The virus is known as the “rota” virus due to its wheel-like shape when viewed under an electron microscope.

Definition of Rotavirus

Rotaviruses is double-stranded RNA viruses in the Reoviridae family. This virus is made up of 11 segments of double-stranded RNA surrounded by three layers of proteins (viral particles). It is the leading cause of severe, dehydrating diarrhea in children under the age of five.

How are Rotavirus Diseases transmitted?

Rotavirus is a virus that is transmitted from person to person via hand-to-mouth contact, fecal-oral, and respiratory route. It can affect anyone, but it primarily affects the following groups:

• Infants
• Young children
• Family members
• Those who work with children, such as babysitters or childcare workers.

Causes of Rotavirus Disease

The causes of Rotavirus Disease are as follows:

• It causes stomach and intestine inflammation (Gastroenteritis)
• It causes severe diarrhea and vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• High fever
• Nausea, etc.

Note- In healthy adults, rotavirus infection may cause only minor symptoms or no symptoms.

Symptoms of Rotavirus Disease

Rotavirus infection generally starts within two days of virus exposure. Fever and vomiting are the earliest symptoms, followed by 3 to 7 days of watery diarrhoea.

Other symptoms include loss of appetite and dehydration (loss of body fluids), both of which can be extremely dangerous to infants and young children.

Here are some additional symptoms of dehydration:

• High fever and fatigue.
• The amount of urine has dropped.
• Dizziness when the child stands.
• Adults crying with few or no tears.
• The throat and mouth are severely dehydrated, etc.

What is the treatment for Rotavirus Disease?

There is no specific treatment for rotavirus infection. Antibiotics and antiviral medications are not really helpful for rotavirus infections. However, In most cases, the infection goes away in three to seven days.

Rotavirus Vaccines by India

On March 9, 2012, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched India’s first indigenously developed Rotavirus vaccine, Rotavac.

Although both the vaccines Rotavac and Rotasiil, are available in India under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) and have been proven safe, immunogenic, and efficacious.

Rotavirus vaccination schedule under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) in India are as follows:

Prevention of Rotavirus Disease

Rotavirus is found in infected people’s stool and can be spread through hands, diapers, or objects with a small amount of stool on them, such as toys, changing tables, or doorknobs.

Prevention of rotavirus disease is as follows:

• Avoid anything that could aggravate vomiting or diarrhea.
• Always wash your hands thoroughly and regularly to reduce the spread of rotavirus, especially after doing the following:
  • After using the toilet
  • After changing the child’s diaper
  • Help your child in using the toilet, etc.

• However, nothing is guaranteed, even with frequent hand washing and surface disinfection.

• The Indian government advises children to be immunized against rotavirus.
• The most effective method of rotavirus infection prevention is vaccination.

Conclusion

The effective administration of the rotavirus vaccine as part of the universal immunization program should result in a significant decrease in the number of deaths and hospitalizations in India.

Previous Years UPSC Mains Questions

1.The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented devastation worldwide. However, technological advancements are being availed readily to win over the crisis. Give an account of how technology was sought to aid the management of the pandemic. (UPSC Mains – GS Paper 3, 2020).

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