Infection may be asymptomatic or characterised by vomiting and watery diarrhoea for 3-8 days. Other common symptoms include fever, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, and dehydration. The incubation period of Rotavirus disease is approximately 1-4 days. The primary mode of transmission is by the faecal-oral route by direct person to person contact or from contact with contaminated food, water or environment. Viral shedding can occur up to 3 days after symptoms resolve. Immunity is long lasting following infection.
Two rotavirus vaccines are currently available. For further information please refer to the HSE website.
