CHILDREN’S HEALTH MINUTE Presented by the TexCare 60 Second Radio Feature   MP3 "Rotavirus” FOR AIR WEEK OF APRIL 9, 2001 It causes a lot of trouble for young children, but adults often show no symptoms. Hi, I’m Dr. John Hellerstedt and this CHILDREN’S HEALTH MINUTE is presented by the TexCare : a Texas initiative to provide children’s health insurance for only $18 a month or less to most families. Rotavirus is one of main causes of diarrhea in children from three months to two years of age. Kids with a rotavirus infection have fever, nausea, vomiting and watery diarrhea. After a few days, the fever and vomiting stop...but the diarrhea can drag on for up to a full week longer. How common is it? Almost all children have had a rotavirus infection by age five, even if they’ve never had symptoms. The biggest risk to their health is dehydration.  If your infant or toddler become dehydrated, he or she may have to be treated in a hospital to bring the body’s fluid level back to normal. Most older children can be treated at home. But never ignore sever diarrhea. Let your pediatrician know. This CHILDREN’S HEALTH MINUTE is presented by the TexCare —reminding you that no child should be without health insurance. Call 1-800-647-6558 to apply for children’s health insurance that for most families is $18 a month or less. And join me next time for The CHILDREN’S HEALTH MINUTE.