Rotavirus and Pregnancy

Rotavirus is transmitted by hand-to-mouth contact with stool from an infected person, according to the Department of Health Promotion and Education. Pregnant women who contract rotavirus should contact their physician to discuss their individual situation and duration of symptoms.

  1. Definition

    • Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that infects the bowels. Its name comes from the wheel-like appearance of the virus seen when viewed by electron microscopy, according to MedicineNet.com.

    Symptoms

    • Pregnant women who become infected with rotavirus may experience fever, vomiting, watery diarrhea and stomach cramping that can last from three to nine days.

    Effects

    • The most serious side effect of rotavirus in pregnancy is dehydration, which can lead to fatigue, preterm labor, miscarriage or even maternal death, according to the American Pregnancy Association.

    Diagnosis and Treatment

    • Rotavirus may be detected in a stool sample examined by a health care professional. There are no antibiotics that can be used to treat rotavirus; treatment will typically include an increase in fluids to avoid dehydration.

    Study

    • Rotavirus is commonly responsible for gastroenteritis (diarrhea and vomiting). In a study in the "European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases," gastroenteritis during part of a pregnancy was associated with a shortened pregnancy, but it had no adverse affects on fetal outcome.