What is rotavirus? -- How severe is rotavirus disease? -- What are the symptoms of rotavirus disease? -- How is rotavirus spread? -- What can be done to prevent rotavirus disease? -- How is rotavirus disease treated? -- Is there a vaccine to prevent rotavirus disease? -- Can a person get rotavirus disease more than once?

Rotavirus is a virus (germ) that can cause severe diarrhea, usually with fever and vomiting. Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhea) in infants and young children in the United States. Rotavirus disease can cause children to lose body fluids very quickly and is especially dangerous for children less than 2 years of age. Children between 3 and 35 months of age have the highest risk for getting the infection.

Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection