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Cracking the Case: How Doctors Diagnose Rotavirus
Published: Nov 13, 2023
When your child has severe diarrhea, how do doctors know if rotavirus is to blame? Let's explore the tests used to diagnose this common stomach bug and why they matter.
When Testing is Necessary
Doctors don't always need to test for rotavirus, as treatment is often the same regardless of the specific cause. However, testing may be important in severe cases, outbreaks, or for tracking the virus's spread. It's also crucial for babies and people with weakened immune systems who are at higher risk of complications.
Rapid Tests: Quick Results
The most common tests for rotavirus are rapid immunochromatography (ICT) tests. These work like at-home pregnancy tests, giving results in about 15 minutes. A small stool sample is mixed with a solution and placed on a test strip. If rotavirus is present, a colored line appears.
Lab Tests: Digging Deeper
For more detailed results, doctors may use enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. These are done in a lab and can detect even small amounts of the virus. PCR tests are especially sensitive and can identify specific rotavirus strains, which is helpful for researchers tracking outbreaks.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they only require a small stool sample.
Rapid tests take minutes, lab tests a few hours to days.
Yes, the virus may be detectable for weeks after recovery.
Yes, especially in recently vaccinated infants.
The Bottom Line
While not always necessary, rotavirus testing can be crucial in certain situations to guide treatment and prevent outbreaks.
References
- American Academy of Pediatrics. Red Book: 2024-2027 Report of the Committee on Infectious Diseases, 33rd ed, 2024.
- Wolffs PF, et al. Replacing traditional diagnostics of fecal viral pathogens by a comprehensive panel of real-time PCRs. J Clin Microbiol 2011; 49:1926.
- Whiley DM, et al. Over-diagnosis of Rotavirus Infection in Infants Due to Detection of Vaccine Virus. Clin Infect Dis 2020; 71:1324.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic. Always discuss health information with your healthcare provider.
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