From the Guidelines
No, rotavirus infection is not rare in adults, though it is less common and typically less severe than in children. Adults can contract rotavirus, especially those in close contact with infected children, healthcare workers, elderly individuals, and people with weakened immune systems [ 1 ]. When adults do get infected, they often experience milder symptoms than children, sometimes having no symptoms at all. However, they can still develop diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal pain lasting 3-8 days.
Key Points to Consider
- Treatment focuses on preventing dehydration through oral rehydration solutions and maintaining fluid intake.
- Most healthy adults recover without specific antiviral medication, but those with severe symptoms or who are immunocompromised may need medical attention [ 1 ].
- Adults can reduce their risk by practicing good hand hygiene, especially after changing diapers or using the bathroom, and before handling food.
- While rotavirus vaccines are primarily given to infants, they have indirectly reduced infection rates in adults through community immunity [ 1 ].
High-Risk Groups
- Travelers returning from developing countries
- Parents and persons caring for children with rotavirus gastroenteritis
- Immunocompromised persons
- Older adults [ 1 ]
Prevention and Management
- Good hand hygiene
- Oral rehydration solutions
- Maintaining fluid intake
- Community immunity through vaccination [ 1 ]
From the Research
Rotavirus Infection in Adults
- Rotavirus infection is not rare in adults, as evidenced by the presence of serum antibodies in virtually all adults, indicating that they have been infected at some point in their lives 2.
- Adults can be infected with rotavirus through various means, including secondary contacts from pediatric cases, waterborne outbreaks, travelers' diarrhea, epidemic spread in isolated populations, and endemic infections 2, 3.
- Rotavirus infection in adults can manifest with symptoms such as nausea, malaise, headache, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, and fever, although some infections can be asymptomatic 3, 2.
- The severity of rotavirus infection in adults can vary, with some cases being mild and self-limiting, while others can be more severe, particularly in immunocompromised individuals 3, 2.
- Reinfections with rotavirus are common throughout life, although the disease severity is reduced with repeat infections 4.