Question
The baby has been running a fever since Monday and has been confirmed to have a viral infection. The stool test has shown the presence of rotavirus. The baby has had diarrhea 6 to 7 times so far. How should one be attentive?
Answer
Rotavirus infections are usually self-limiting and have low virulence. The main thing to observe is the frequency of bowel movements. If the baby has frequent and large bowel movements, they may become dehydrated. Severe dehydration can lead to listlessness, reduced urine output, and dry skin. At this point, it is important to replenish fluids. Mild dehydration can be treated with oral rehydration salts, as can moderate dehydration, while severe dehydration requires hospitalization for intravenous fluid administration. Wishing the baby a speedy recovery!