Rotavirus

Rotavirus is the most common cause of diarrhoea in children. The infection and can be taken care of at home with fluids. Less commonly, your baby will have to be given intravenous fluids to fight severe dehydration.

Vaccination can help prevent rotavirus infection in your infant. To vaccinate your child against the disease, you can consult the medical practitioners at the Family Medicine Service Line at the Aga Khan University Hospital. For older children and adults — who are not as likely to develop serious symptoms of rotavirus — frequent hand-washing is recommended. The virus infects the intestinal tract of almost all young children by age five.

This virus can affect your child again but it presents itself as very severe the first time it is contracted. Rotavirus infections spread easily. Outbreaks usually occur in the winter and early spring. Rotavirus infections often spread in settings where many children are together, such as day care centres.

This virus spread through contact with the stool of an infected child. If you change your child’s diaper and then touch the chair and table, the virus may get transmitted there, from where it can be contracted to other children.

Symptoms

It takes around one to three days for symptoms to show. The signs are watery stool for three to eight days after contracting the virus.

When to see a doctor

Inform your doctor at the Internal Medicine Service Line at the Aga Khan University Hospital if you or your child shows any of the above symptoms. Immediately see your doctor if:

Your child has rectal bleeding

Your child is vomiting

Your child seems disoriented and has lost conscious

Your child seem dehydrated

In adults, consult a doctor if:

You can’t seem to keep fluids down for more than 24 hours

You are vomiting blood

You have rectal bleeding with watery stools

You have signs and symptoms of dehydration

The medical team will be able to quickly take action against it to control the symptoms and treat the disease.

Prepare for your initial visit

Your time with your doctor may be limited, so make sure to prepare for your visit beforehand. Here are some tips to help get you started.

Tests and diagnosis

Rota virus is easily diagnosed through the symptoms visible. For a definitive diagnosis, stool sample may be taken for rotavirus test.

Disclaimer: Kindly consult your physician before getting the above-mentioned tests.

Treatment and services

There is no specific treatment for rotavirus. It is usually allowed to run its course. The symptoms however are to be managed. Make sure you and your child take plenty of fluids. If you are unable to drink water, drink rehydration fluids which will replenish your body’s lost minerals.

If you or your child is severely dehydrated, fluids may also have to be given intravenously.

Patient Support

The Aga Khan University Hospital offers various support services to help with managing or recovering from the disease or condition. These include but are not limited to nutrition, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, specialized clinics and some patient support groups. Your doctor or nurse will advise you accordingly.

The Aga Khan University Hospital offers financial assistance to those who are in need and fulfil the eligibility criteria. For further information, you can contact the Patient Welfare Department. You can find the contact number of the Patient Welfare Department in the 'Important Numbers' section on the website homepage.

The financial counselling staff is available during office hours, at the main PBSD (Patient Business Services Department), to answer your financial queries on treatments' costs and authorize admissions on partial deposit as per hospital policies allow. The financial counsellor in the emergency room is open 24/7. You can find the contact number of the Patient Business Services in the 'Important Numbers' section on the website homepage.

Proposed use of Medication

Your doctor and or nurse will give you specific instructions about the prescribed medication. Please ensure that you take or use the prescribed medicine as advised. It can be dangerous to your health if you self-prescribe. Please inform the doctor or nurse beforehand if you have experienced any adverse reactions to any medications in the past. If you experience any symptoms of drug poisoning, overdose or severe reaction please contact the Pharmacy Service at The Aga Khan University Hospital immediately. You can find the contact number of the Pharmacy Services in the 'Important Numbers' section on the website homepage.

The information provided on our website is for educational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always seek the advice of your doctor or other healthcare professional provider.

Location	Phone Number
Main Hospital Contact Center (8 am – 12 midnight)	+92 21 111 911 911
Main Hospital - Clinic and Radiology Appointments (8 am – 12 midnight)	+92 21 111 911 911
Main Campus 24/7 Emergency, Stadium Road	+92 21 3486 1090
Clifton Medical Services: Consulting Clinics and 24/7 Urgent Care	+92 21 111 911 911
Main Hospital Clinical Laboratory	+92 21 111 911 911
Main Hospital Blood Bank	+92 21 3486 1558
Main Hospital Drug and Poison Information	+92 21 3486 1504 +92 21 3486 1506
Main Hospital Vaccination Services	+92 21 3486 1573 +92 21 3486 1495
Patient Welfare Department	+92 21 3486 9583 +92 21 3486 9584 +92 21 3486 9585
The Aga Khan Maternal and Child Care Centre (AKMCCC), Hyderabad	+92 22 430 0777 - 8301
Aga Khan Hospital for Women Garden	+92 21 3616 7400 - 7500
The Aga Khan Hospital for Women Karimabad	+92 21 3616 7600
The Aga Khan Hospital for Women and Children, Kharadar	+92 21 3616 7800
Main Hospital New Private Wing Main Reception	+92 21 3486 8040 +92 21 3486 8041
Main Hospital New Private Wing Patient Admission and Billing Office	+92 21 3486 8026 +92 21 3486 8027
Main Hospital New Private Wing Concierge Services	+92 21 3486 8025
Patient Referral Services (9 am to 11 pm)	+92 21 3486 3100

​Rotavirus