Communicating about Rotavirus

Cases of rotavirus, a seasonal virus that can be especially severe for babies and young children, have been rising in the United States since January 2026 due to declining vaccination rates. Use these talking points to share more information about rotavirus with your community.

What is rotavirus and how does it spread?

Rotavirus is a stomach and intestinal infection that mostly affects children. It causes severe diarrhea and vomiting, which can lead to dehydration. The highly contagious virus spreads through contact with contaminated food or surfaces, or, less commonly, through coughing or sneezing.

Who is at risk of getting rotavirus?

People of all ages can get rotavirus, but most cases are in babies and children. Typically, children in daycare or other group programs are at highest risk of coming in contact with the virus. Unvaccinated children between the ages of 3 months and 3 years tend to get the most severe version of the disease.

What are the symptoms of rotavirus?

Once your child is infected with rotavirus, it usually takes about two to three days for them to become sick. The most common symptoms of rotavirus are severe diarrhea and vomiting, which can last up to a week, and lead to dehydration. Dehydration is particularly dangerous in young children, who may need IV fluids to recover.

Is there a cure for rotavirus?

The best way to protect against the virus is the rotavirus vaccine. Because rotavirus is a virus and not a bacteria, there are no antibiotics available for the disease.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all babies get two or three doses (depending on the brand) of the oral rotavirus vaccine beginning at two months of age. The rotavirus vaccine is 70 percent effective against infection, 90 percent effective against severe illness, and around 95 percent effective against hospitalization.

Before the rotavirus vaccine became available, rotavirus disease was the leading cause of severe diarrhea in babies and young children in the United States. It is estimated that the rotavirus vaccine prevents 40,000 to 50,000 hospitalizations among babies and young children each year.

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