Pathophysiology
Clinical meaning
Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe dehydrating diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide, most commonly affecting children between 6 months and 2 years of age. The virus attacks and destroys the mature enterocytes (absorptive cells) lining the small intestinal villi, leading to profuse watery diarrhea through impaired absorption. Transmission is fecal-oral, and the virus is extremely contagious with a very low infectious dose. Incubation is 1-3 days. Illness typically lasts 3-8 days. The hallmark presentation is sudden onset of vomiting followed by profuse, non-bloody, watery diarrhea with low-grade fever. Dehydration can develop rapidly, especially in infants, making close monitoring and early recognition of fluid loss essential in clinical practice.