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Rotavirus is an infection of the gut caused by viruses. It belongs to the Reoviridae family. It can present as a short period of mild watery diarrhea or severe dehydrating diarrhea with vomiting and low-grade fever. It is one of the common viruses known to cause self-limited gastroenteritis. Fluid stool losses may be troublesome, and deaths from severe dehydration are quite common, particularly in developing States.
Rotavirus fundamentally infects the cells of the small intestinal villi, particularly the cells that are close to the tips of the villi. As these specific cells have a role in the digestion of carbohydrates and the intestinal absorption of fluid and electrolytes, rotavirus infections result in malabsorption by defective hydrolysis of carbohydrates and fluid excretion from the intestine. Loose stools due to increased motility can further exacerbate the illness. This increased motility seems to be secondary to virus-induced pathological changes at the villus epithelium. Dissemination of the virus can occur in immunocompromised individuals, resulting in extraintestinal infections. The virus starts to shed in the stool even before the appearance of symptoms and remains for up to 10 days after symptom appearance.