{"id":4757,"date":"2026-05-27T22:32:09","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T22:32:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sandiegorelocationnews.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/27\/how-to-keep-your-kids-safe-from-potentially-deadly-virus-on-rise-in-northern-ca\/"},"modified":"2026-05-27T22:32:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T22:32:09","slug":"how-to-keep-your-kids-safe-from-potentially-deadly-virus-on-rise-in-northern-ca","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sandiegorelocationnews.com\/index.php\/2026\/05\/27\/how-to-keep-your-kids-safe-from-potentially-deadly-virus-on-rise-in-northern-ca\/","title":{"rendered":"How to keep your kids safe from potentially deadly virus on rise in Northern CA"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Rising levels of rotavirus, a lesser-known infection, have been detected in wastewater in several California cities, testing shows.<\/p>\n

Read more Scooters blocking sidewalks? Sacramento billed tech companies $152,000 for fines<\/a><\/p>\n

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WastewaterSCAN data shows \u201chigh concentrations\u201d of rotavirusin Davis, Redwood City, San Jose and Merced. Moderate concentrations have been found in Sacramento, Woodland, San Francisco, Palo Alto, Santa Cruz and Sunnyvale.<\/p>\n

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The highly contagious virus \u201ccauses severe watery diarrhea and vomiting in infants and young children,\u201d the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. Older children and adults with weakened immune systems also are vulnerable.<\/p>\n

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\u201cPrior to the introduction of rotavirus vaccine in 2006, rotavirus was the most common cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children in the U.S.,\u201d the California Department of Public Health said. \u201cWorldwide, rotavirus continues to be a major cause of childhood deaths.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Here\u2019s what to know:<\/p>\n

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What is rotavirus?<\/h2>\n

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Rotavirus is a virus that causes diarrhea, according to the Mayo Clinic. It mostly affects children under 5 years of age, and it\u2019s a leading cause of death in children.<\/p>\n

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The most common complication from rotavirus is dehydration, the clinic said.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe virus invades and destroys cells in your intestinal lining called enterocytes, which help you absorb nutrients from food,\u201d WebMD said.<\/p>\n

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The virus causing the infection was discovered in 1973, the National Institutes of Health said.<\/p>\n

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The first rotavirus vaccine was produced in 1998 but later withdrawn because of a rare complication. Later generations of the vaccine were introduced in the early 2000s.<\/p>\n

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How common is rotavirus?<\/h2>\n

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The virus is extremely common, Boston Children\u2019s Hospital said. In fact, most children have already been infected at least once by the time they are 3 years old.<\/p>\n

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Rotavirus causes more than 125 million cases of diarrhea each year in children and infants worldwide.<\/p>\n

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\u201cBefore a vaccine became available, rotavirus caused between 55,000 and 70,000 children to be hospitalized each year in the U.S.,\u201d the hospital said. \u201cThanks to vaccination, that number has dropped by roughly 80%.\u201d<\/p>\n

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In the United States, the number of childhood deaths from rotavirus have dropped to between 20 to 40 each year. About 600,000 children die of rotavirus worldwide each year.<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s most common in the winter and spring, the hospital said.<\/p>\n

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What are the symptoms of rotavirus<\/h2>\n

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The symptoms of rotavirus are a lot like those of noroviruses or food poisoning\u2014 severe watery diarrhea, vomiting, fever and stomach pain, the CDC said.<\/p>\n

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Symptoms normally start within two days after exposure and can last from three to eight days.<\/p>\n

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What are the complications of rotavirus?<\/h2>\n

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Dehydration is the most common complication of rotavirus infections from \u201closs of water and important salts and minerals,\u201d the Mayo Clinic said.<\/p>\n

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\u201dIf not treated, dehydration can cause organ damage, other serious disease and death,\u201d the clinic said.<\/p>\n

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Intussusception is a rare complication of rotavirus infections, caused when one part of the intestine slides into another part of the intestine, like a telescope folded up,\u201d the clinic said.<\/p>\n

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This can block the intestines and prevent blood from reaching them.<\/p>\n

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Symptoms include intense stomach pain, vomiting and bloody stools. It requires immediate medical care, the clinic said.<\/p>\n

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When should you see a doctor about rotavirus?<\/h2>\n

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Call your doctor if your child has watery stools for more than 24 hours, a fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in children under 3 months old, frequent vomiting, intense pain in the stomach or rectum, black or tarry stools, or stools with blood or pus, or symptoms of dehydration, the Mayo Clinic said.<\/p>\n

Read more Ken Paxton calls for party unity. Some Republicans aren\u2019t on board<\/a><\/p>\n

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Dehydration symptoms in children include excessive thirst or dry mouth, crying without tears, low energy, little urination, or no wet diapers for three or more hours, sunken eyes or cheeks, sunken soft spot on baby\u2019s skull or loss of skin elasticity.<\/p>\n

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Adults should call a medical professional if you have diarrhea for more than two days, a fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, frequent vomiting, intense pain in the stomach or rectum, six or more stools in 24 hours, black or tarry stools, or stools with blood or pus, or dehydration.<\/p>\n

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Symptoms of dehydration in adult can include those listed for children along with fainting or lightheadedness and dark urine, the Mayo Clinic said.<\/p>\n

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How does rotavirus spread?<\/h2>\n

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The virus spreads mainly from contact with infected feces, WebMD said.<\/p>\n

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Infected people shed the virus in their feces before symptoms show up and for up to 10 days after symptoms end.<\/p>\n

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Children who don\u2019t wash their hands properly after using the bathroom may spread it to crayons and markers, food, surfaces such as sinks and kitchen counters, toys, including shared electronics such as iPads and remote controls, utensils and water, WebMD said.<\/p>\n

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You can be infected more than once, although the first infection is normally the worst, the site said.<\/p>\n

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\u201cRotavirus commonly spreads in families, hospitals, and child care centers,\u201d the CDC said.<\/p>\n

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\u201cInfants and young children can spread rotavirus to family members and other people with whom they have close contact.\u201d<\/p>\n

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How can you prevent rotavirus?<\/h2>\n

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Vaccinations are the best way to protect children from rotavirus, the CDC said. They\u2019re usually given as drops in the mouth, not shots, WebMD said.<\/p>\n

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\u201cGood hygiene like handwashing and cleanliness are important but not enough to control the spread of the disease,\u201d the CDC said.<\/p>\n

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How do you treat rotavirus?<\/h2>\n

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While a vaccine can reduce the seriousness of a rotavirus if you catch one, there\u2019s no medical treatment for the infection itself, the Boston Children\u2019s Hospital said.<\/p>\n

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\u201cTreatment of the disease is more for making your child feel better and to prevent any complications from dehydration,\u201d the hospital said.<\/p>\n

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Ensure children drink plenty of water, formula or breast milk or Pedialyte to prevent dehydration. They should not drink sodas or sports drinks.<\/p>\n

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About one in 40 children may require hospitalization, where treatments may include intravenous fluids, tube feeding and blood work to track electrolyte levels.<\/p>\n

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How can you tell rotavirus from other illnesses?<\/h2>\n

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\u201cUnlike norovirus, rotavirus mostly affects children,\u201d WebMD said. \u201cWith rotavirus, you could be sick for up to 8 days. But norovirus usually lasts only 1-3 days.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Symptoms also can seem like food poisoning, but food poisoning symptoms usually start immediately within three to six hours of consuming contaminated food or water.<\/p>\n

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Rotavirus symptoms take longer to show up and ramp up more slowly, WebMD said.<\/p>\n

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