rotavirus
noun
ro·ta·vi·rus
ˈrō-tə-ˌvī-rəs 
: any of a genus (Rotavirus) of reoviruses that have a three-layered protein capsid with no outer lipid envelope when mature and that include one (species Rotavirus A) causing epidemics of severe and sometimes fatal diarrhea in infants and young children
Examples of rotavirus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Vomiting is often the first symptom for children who contract rotavirus.
—
Sarah Bradley, Health, 23 Oct. 2024
In addition to diarrhea and chills, the symptoms of rotavirus include:4
Fatigue
Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite
Strong thirst
The symptoms usually come on quickly and resolve within a week or so.
—Kelly Burch, Verywell Health, 16 Oct. 2024
The pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines have been particularly significant—pneumonia and diarrhea are among the top global killers of children under five.
—Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024
There are fewer cases of rotavirus now because of an oral vaccine.6
Norovirus affects all ages and spreads through contaminated food, water, and surfaces.
—Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rotavirus 
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Sarah Bradley, Health, 23 Oct. 2024
In addition to diarrhea and chills, the symptoms of rotavirus include:4
Fatigue
Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite
Strong thirst
The symptoms usually come on quickly and resolve within a week or so.
—Kelly Burch, Verywell Health, 16 Oct. 2024
The pneumococcal and rotavirus vaccines have been particularly significant—pneumonia and diarrhea are among the top global killers of children under five.
—Tara Haelle, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024
There are fewer cases of rotavirus now because of an oral vaccine.6
Norovirus affects all ages and spreads through contaminated food, water, and surfaces.
—Brandi Jones, Msn-Ed, Health, 10 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for rotavirus
Dictionary Entries Near rotavirus
Cite this Entry
“Rotavirus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rotavirus. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
rotavirus
noun
ro·ta·vi·rus
ˈrōt-ə-ˌvī-rəs
1
capitalized
: a genus of reoviruses that are causative agents of gastroenteritis and that include one (species Rotavirus A) causing epidemics of severe and sometimes fatal diarrhea in infants and young children
Note: Viruses of the genus Rotavirus have a virion with a three-layered protein capsid lacking an outer lipid envelope when mature and a core of 11 discrete segments of double-stranded RNA.
2
: any virus of the genus Rotavirus
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