Culture and Disease Paper "Rotavirus"
Culture and Disease Paper: Rotavirus
HCS/330: Introduction to Health and Disease
June 11, 2010
Culture and Disease: Rotavirus
First-time parents anticipate changing plenty of dirty diapers, however they may never consider that a minor problem like diarrhea can land them and their infant in an emergency room. Mothers and fathers can be shocked to discover that rotavirus is one of the main causes of severe diarrhea cases in babies and youth in the United States. Rotavirus is responsible for the yearly hospitalization of 55,000 young persons according to annual reports (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2003). Many rotavirus cases diagnosed are potentially fatal and call for extended hospital stay. The sight of an infant or tot attached to an IV drip to replenish hydration lost by rotavirus is enough to leave parents feeling powerless and terrified. Despite the fact that almost all children will contract rotavirus before ever attending school, it is disturbing that a large number of mothers and fathers have little or no knowledge of the disease. Description of Rotavirus According to Carson-DeWitt, Davidson, and Jacqueline (2009), “The name rotavirus comes from the Latin word "rota" for wheel and is given because the viruses have a distinct wheel-like shape” (Carson-DeWitt, Davidson, & Jacqueline, 2009). Rotavirus groups A to F have been thoroughly researched and results show that only groups A, B, and C occur in viral cases of humans. Group A is the most common strain of rotavirus in humans. However, group B is responsible for causing pandemic outbreaks in the adult population in China. Group C is not as commonly found in human beings. Indications of rotavirus consist of fever, nausea, and diarrhea that can happen at various intervals during a 24 hour period, sometimes lasting for a few days to over a week. Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting triggered by rotavirus may also cause severe dehydration (Carson-DeWitt et al., 2009). Risk
HCS/330: Introduction to Health and Disease
June 11, 2010
Culture and Disease: Rotavirus
First-time parents anticipate changing plenty of dirty diapers, however they may never consider that a minor problem like diarrhea can land them and their infant in an emergency room. Mothers and fathers can be shocked to discover that rotavirus is one of the main causes of severe diarrhea cases in babies and youth in the United States. Rotavirus is responsible for the yearly hospitalization of 55,000 young persons according to annual reports (Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 2003). Many rotavirus cases diagnosed are potentially fatal and call for extended hospital stay. The sight of an infant or tot attached to an IV drip to replenish hydration lost by rotavirus is enough to leave parents feeling powerless and terrified. Despite the fact that almost all children will contract rotavirus before ever attending school, it is disturbing that a large number of mothers and fathers have little or no knowledge of the disease. Description of Rotavirus According to Carson-DeWitt, Davidson, and Jacqueline (2009), “The name rotavirus comes from the Latin word "rota" for wheel and is given because the viruses have a distinct wheel-like shape” (Carson-DeWitt, Davidson, & Jacqueline, 2009). Rotavirus groups A to F have been thoroughly researched and results show that only groups A, B, and C occur in viral cases of humans. Group A is the most common strain of rotavirus in humans. However, group B is responsible for causing pandemic outbreaks in the adult population in China. Group C is not as commonly found in human beings. Indications of rotavirus consist of fever, nausea, and diarrhea that can happen at various intervals during a 24 hour period, sometimes lasting for a few days to over a week. Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting triggered by rotavirus may also cause severe dehydration (Carson-DeWitt et al., 2009). Risk
References: FDA Revises Recommendations for Rotavirus Vaccines. (2010, May 14). U S Food and Drug Administration Home Page. Retrieved June 11, 2010, from http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm212149.htm Managing Acute Gastroenteritis Among Children: Oral Rehydration, Maintenance, and Nutritional Therapy. (2003, November 21). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved June 10, 2010, from http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5216a1.htm Roslyn Carson-DeWitt; MD; Tish Davidson; A.M.; Jacqueline L., L. (Jan. 1, 2009). Rotavirus infections. Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine,