Viral
Gastroenteritis
Features
of viruses commonly infecting the Intestinal tract
|
Virus |
Nucleic
acid |
Disease |
No
of serotypes |
Lifelong
immunity |
|
Poliovirus |
RNA |
Poliomyelitis |
3 |
Yes
(type) |
|
Echoviruses |
RNA |
Meningitis |
Many |
No |
|
Coxsackieviruses |
RNA |
Meningitis,
carditis |
Many |
No |
|
Hepatitis
A virus |
RNA |
Hepatitis |
1 |
Yes |
|
Rotavirus |
RNA |
Diarrhea |
Several |
No |
|
Norwalk
virus |
RNA |
Diarrhea |
Unknown |
Unknown |
|
Adenovirus |
DNA |
Diarrhea |
2
of 41 |
Unknown |
|
Astrovirus |
RNA |
Diarrhea |
5 |
Unknown |
|
SRSVs |
RNA |
Diarrhea |
Unknown |
Unknown |
Clinical
Features
Incubation
period: 1-2 days
Symptoms:
acute onset of diarrhea, often with vomiting, fever, abdominal cramps,
dehydration.
Endemic
infection: common in young children especially group A rotaviruses and
adenoviruses 40 and 41.
Treatment:
rehydration to correct fluid and sodium loss.