Rotavirus gastro can start suddenly, often with fever and vomiting. This is followed by watery diarrhoea that may last up to five to eight days. As a result, young children may quickly dehydrate (lose body fluid).

Dehydration due to loss of fluids from vomiting and diarrhoea is the main worry with gastro in young children as it can cause infants to become seriously ill. Check to see if your child has symptoms of dehydration. If your child has diarrhoea and shows any signs of dehydration, see your doctor immediately.

With each new infection the symptoms tend to be milder and rotavirus infection may cause no obvious gastro symptoms in older children and adults.

In Australia, children are most likely to get rotavirus gastro during the winter months. The Northern Territory is the exception where outbreaks can occur in spring and even summer.

Rotavirus infection is the most common cause of severe gastro in babies and young children.

How is it spread?