Rotavirus infection physical examination

Patients infected with rotavirus infection may appear lethargic and pale in severe cases. They also have low blood pressure and fever due to infection. Signs of dehydration are more noticed in the infants as they could have sunken eye and depressed fontanelle. Convulsions also may be noticed in severe cases.

The patient with rotavirus infection may be in a normal appearance. In cases of dehydration, there will be change in the patient appearance depending on the severity of the dehydration as the following:^[1][2]

• In early stages of the rotavirus infection the patients are asymptomatic.
• In advanced cases, the patient may show irritable behavior.
• In severe cases, the patient appears pale and lethargic.

• Low blood pressure
• Fever due to the infection and the dehydration

• Dry skin in case of dehydration.
• Pallor

• In infants depressed anterior fontanelle may be felt in case of dehydration
• Sunken eyes

• Normal heart sounds
• No murmurs, gallops or rubs

• Abdominal tenderness
• Cramps

• Decreased urinary output

Rotavirus can cause several neurological signs in the severe cases including:^[3]

• Convulsions
• Encephalopathy
• Encephalitis