Rotavirus in young children: Diagnosis, management and prevention

Rotavirus is an unpleasant, highly contagious viral infection with variable degrees of severity. Although the disease can affect any age, it is predominantly an illness affecting young children. Prior to the development of vaccines, the disease was responsible for many deaths and hospitalisations around the world. Rotavirus is now part of the vaccination programme for children and, since its introduction, hospitalisations and deaths have reduced, not only in the UK but worldwide. This article provides nurses and non-medical prescribers with insight into this disease highlighting the importance of vaccination uptake, with the aim of reducing further the potentially adverse outcomes associated with the condition.