Epidemiology of human rotavirus diarrhoea: a review.

Human rotavirus has been held to be responsible in as many as 60-80% of acute diarrheas between 6-24 months of age in India, especially during winter season. Antibodies against human rotavirus have been demonstrated in more than 90% of children aged 5 years indicating a previous infection. Vomiting, diarrhea, mild temperature with mild to severe dehydration have been observed to be the common features of human rotavirus diarrhea. The management consists of rehydration therapy by fluids and electrolytes while antibiotics are of no use. Development of an oral, live, attenuated polyvalent vaccine for producing enteric and humoral immunity against human rotavirus diarrhea will be ideal to prevent morbidity and mortality in developed as well as developing countries.