Treatment

Español: Tratamiento

There is no specific medicine to treat rotavirus infection, but your doctor may recommend medicines to treat symptoms.  There is no antiviral drug to treat it, and antibiotic drugs will not help because antibiotics fight bacteria not viruses.

Rotavirus infection can cause severe vomiting and diarrhea. This can lead to dehydration (loss of body fluids). Infants and young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses are most at risk of dehydration.

Symptoms of dehydration include decrease in urination, dry mouth and throat and feeling dizzy when standing up. A dehydrated child may also

• cry with few or no tears and
• be unusually sleepy or fussy.

The best way to protect against dehydration is to drink plenty of liquids. Oral rehydration solutions that you can get over the counter in U.S. food and drug stores are most helpful for mild dehydration. Severe dehydration may require hospitalization for treatment with intravenous (IV) fluids, which are given to patients directly through their veins. If you or someone you are caring for is severely dehydrated, contact your doctor.