Rotavirus Workup

  • Author: David D Nguyen, MD, FACEP; Chief Editor: Richard G Bachur, MD   more...
 
Updated: May 22, 2012
 

Laboratory Studies

Rotavirus may be identified by several means (ie, enzyme immunoassay being the most common, latex agglutination, electron microscopy, culture).[3] However, in most cases, identification of the virus is important for public health or infection control purposes.[3] In general, use of such testing is less useful in the ED and can take significant time (days to weeks) for results to return.

This electron micrograph reveals a number of RNA rThis electron micrograph reveals a number of RNA rotavirus virions, and a number of unknown, 29nm virion particles. Image courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Electrolyte levels should be measured with severe dehydration, alterations in mental status, associated seizures, or oral replenishment with excessive water or salt.

Bedside glucose levels should be measured in very young infants and in any age child with associated lethargy.

Proceed to Treatment & Management
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

David D Nguyen, MD, FACEP  Clinical Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, TX

David D Nguyen, MD, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, Harris County Medical Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Sally Henin Awad, MD, FACEP  Medical Director, Forensic Nursing Program, Memorial Hermann Hospital System

Sally Henin Awad, MD, FACEP is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Writers Association, American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Brent R King  MD, MMM, Clive Nancy and Pierce Runnells Distinguished Professor of Emergency Medicine; Professor of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, Chief of Emergency Services, Memorial Hermann Hospital and LBJ Hospital

Brent R King is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Physician Executives, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Garry Wilkes, MBBS, FACEM  Director of Emergency Medicine, Calvary Hospital, Canberra, ACT; Adjunct Associate Professor, Edith Cowan University, Western Australia

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Mary L Windle, PharmD  Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Grace M Young, MD  Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Maryland Medical Center

Grace M Young, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics and American College of Emergency Physicians

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

John D Halamka, MD, MS  Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; Chief Information Officer, CareGroup Healthcare System and Harvard Medical School; Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

John D Halamka, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Emergency Physicians, American Medical Informatics Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Richard G Bachur, MD  Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School; Associate Chief and Fellowship Director, Attending Physician, Division of Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital of Boston

Richard G Bachur, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, and Society for Pediatric Research

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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Transmission electron micrograph of rotavirus. Image courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Transmission electron micrograph of intact rotavirus particles, double-shelled. Image courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Dr. Erskine Palmer.
This electron micrograph reveals a number of RNA rotavirus virions, and a number of unknown, 29nm virion particles. Image courtesy of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
 
 
 
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