Rotavirus Symptoms in Children: When to See a Doctor
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, MD
Licensed Physician No. 484814280 · Official Medical College of Bizkaia (Spain)Last reviewed: 31 October 2026
Rotavirus symptoms in young children: vomiting, watery diarrhoea, fever. How long it lasts, dehydration signs, nursery rules and the vaccine in Spain.
You don't have to figure this out alone
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is an independent, bilingual GP licensed in Spain. Book a 15-minute video consultation in English or Spanish for €50, with a private electronic prescription issued under Spanish law when clinically appropriate.
Rotavirus causes sudden vomiting, watery diarrhoea, fever and tummy pain, mostly in babies and young children. The CDC says symptoms start about 2 days after contact and can last 3 to 8 days. The main risk is dehydration. Most children get better at home with small, frequent drinks. A child who is drowsy, floppy or not passing urine needs a doctor.
- Typical signs: sudden vomiting, then watery diarrhoea, often with fever and tummy pain.
- Watch for dehydration: fewer wet nappies, a dry mouth, no tears, sunken eyes, or a sleepy, irritable child.
- Give small, frequent drinks. Oral rehydration solution from the pharmacy (suero de rehidratación oral) is best. Keep up breast or bottle feeds.
- Antibiotics do not help. Do not give anti-diarrhoea medicine to a child unless a doctor advises it.
- Keep your child off nursery or school until 48 hours after the last vomit or diarrhoea.
- The rotavirus vaccine is part of Spain's routine baby schedule, from 6 weeks of age.
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is a GP licensed in Spain (Colegiado No. 484814280).
For a medical emergency, call 112 or go to the nearest local emergency department. Do not wait for a video consultation or an online reply.
When should I call 112 or see a doctor today?
Call 112 or go to urgencias now if your child:
- Is very drowsy, floppy or hard to wake.
- Has pale or mottled skin with cold hands and feet.
- Has a fit (seizure).
NICE lists drowsiness, pale or mottled skin and cold hands and feet as signs of shock. These need emergency care.
See a doctor today, without waiting, if your child:
- Shows signs of dehydration (listed below).
- Keeps vomiting and cannot keep drinks down.
- Has blood in their poo.
- Has a high fever that is hard to bring down, or severe tummy pain, or a swollen tummy.
- Is under 6 months old, or was born with a low birth weight, as these babies dry out faster.
- Has had diarrhoea for more than 7 days.
What are the symptoms of rotavirus?
The CDC lists the most common symptoms:
- Severe watery diarrhoea.
- Vomiting.
- Fever.
- Tummy pain.
- Loss of appetite.
It is most common in babies and young children. Older children and adults can catch it too, but adults usually have milder symptoms. In Spain, the Spanish Paediatrics Association (AEP) says viruses, especially rotavirus, are the most common cause of stomach bugs in children.
How long does rotavirus last?
Vomiting and watery diarrhoea can last 3 to 8 days, says the CDC. UK guidance from NICE says that in children with gastroenteritis, vomiting usually lasts 1 to 2 days. Diarrhoea usually lasts 5 to 7 days and in most children stops within 2 weeks. Poo can take a while to return to normal.
How do I spot dehydration in a child?
Children lose fluid fast with vomiting and diarrhoea. Look for:
- Fewer wet nappies, or passing little urine.
- A dry mouth and throat.
- Crying with few or no tears.
- Sunken eyes.
- Being unusually sleepy or fussy.
- In older children, feeling dizzy when standing up.
NICE says the children most at risk are those under 1 year, especially under 6 months, and babies with a low birth weight. So are children who have had more than five runny poos or vomited more than twice in 24 hours. Children who have stopped breastfeeding or cannot keep drinks down are at risk too.
Worried about your child's vomiting or diarrhoea, but they are alert and drinking?
You can book a video visit with a GP licensed in Spain, in English or Spanish. He asks about drinks, wet nappies and how your child is acting, looks at them on camera and tells you whether home care is safe or they need to be seen in person.
How do I care for a child with rotavirus at home?
- Small, frequent drinks. Oral rehydration solution is the mainstay of treatment, says the AEP. Spanish pharmacies sell it ready made. Offer small amounts often.
- After a vomit, pause. The AEP suggests waiting 20 to 30 minutes, then starting again slowly.
- Keep up feeds. Breastfed and bottle-fed babies should carry on as usual.
- Avoid fruit juice and fizzy drinks. MedlinePlus also advises against sports drinks.
- Food when they want it. Offer normal food for their age once they are hungry. Strict or binding diets are not needed, and you should not force them to eat.
- Fever or discomfort. Paracetamol can help. Ask your pharmacist about the right product for your child's age and weight.
Antibiotics do not work against viruses. MedlinePlus advises against giving children shop-bought anti-diarrhoea medicine without talking to a doctor first. Our guide to loperamide in Spain explains why.
How contagious is rotavirus, and when can my child go back to nursery?
Rotavirus spreads through poo, on hands, surfaces, toys and food. The CDC says people are most contagious while they are ill and for the first 3 days after they recover. They can also spread it before symptoms start. It spreads easily in families and nurseries.
- Spain. The AEP advises keeping children off nursery (guardería) or school until 48 hours after symptoms stop.
- UK. NICE gives the same 48-hour rule after the last episode. It also advises no swimming pools for 2 weeks after the last bout of diarrhoea.
Hand washing with soap and water is the most important way to stop it spreading. Wash hands after nappy changes and before handling food. Do not share towels.
Is there a rotavirus vaccine in Spain?
Yes. Spain's 2026 common vaccine calendar (calendario común de vacunación) includes rotavirus for babies from 6 weeks of age. It is given at your health centre with the other baby vaccines. The schedule depends on the vaccine used. Here is how the start compares:
- Spain: from 6 weeks of age, in the routine calendar.
- UK: the NHS starts it at 8 weeks. It is a liquid squirted into the baby's mouth.
- US: the CDC starts it at 2 months. The first dose must be given before 15 weeks of age, and the course finished before 8 months.
If you moved to Spain with a young baby, take their vaccine record to your health centre. Vaccinated children can still catch rotavirus, but they are less likely to get ill, says the CDC.
A rare side effect to know. Very rarely, in the week after the vaccine, the bowel can fold in on itself (intussusception). Get urgent medical help if your baby keeps vomiting, has blood in their poo or poo like redcurrant jelly, has a swollen or painful tummy, or cries hard and pulls their legs up. Tell staff when your baby had the vaccine.
Talking it through with a doctor by video
Dr. Yelamo is a GP licensed in Spain. He sees adults, children and pregnant patients by video, every day from 07:30 to 20:30 (Spain time). In the visit he will:
- Ask how often your child has vomited or had diarrhoea, and how much they are drinking.
- Look at your child on camera for signs of dehydration.
- Tell you if home care is safe, or if your child needs an in-person check or urgencias.
He does not promise any test or prescription before the visit. Where clinically appropriate, following a genuine evaluation. Treatment and prescriptions are issued solely at the doctor's discretion based on evidence-based clinical guidelines.
A prescription is never guaranteed: it is issued only where clinically appropriate after a genuine evaluation, as a private electronic prescription under Spanish law. This service is for urgent, non-emergency care. In an emergency, call 112.
See how the Urgent Care video visit works. It lasts 15 minutes and costs €50.
This guide is general information. It does not replace a consultation with your doctor.
Frequently asked questions
What are the first symptoms of rotavirus?
Usually sudden vomiting, then watery diarrhoea, often with fever and tummy pain. Symptoms start about 2 days after contact with the virus.
How long does rotavirus last in children?
Vomiting and watery diarrhoea can last 3 to 8 days. Vomiting usually settles first; diarrhoea can take longer.
How do I know if my child is dehydrated?
Look for fewer wet nappies, a dry mouth, crying without tears, sunken eyes, or a child who is unusually sleepy or irritable. See a doctor today if you notice these.
Can adults catch rotavirus from their children?
Yes. It spreads easily in families. Adults usually have milder symptoms. Wash your hands well after nappy changes and before handling food.
When can my child go back to nursery after rotavirus?
In Spain and the UK the advice is 48 hours after the last vomit or diarrhoea.
Is the rotavirus vaccine part of Spain's baby schedule?
Yes. Spain's 2026 common vaccine calendar includes it for babies from 6 weeks of age. Ask your health centre about your baby's schedule.
Should I give my child medicine to stop diarrhoea?
No, not without a doctor's advice. Antibiotics do not treat rotavirus. Fluids are the treatment.
Sources
- CDC: About rotavirus
- CDC: Rotavirus vaccination
- NICE CG84: Diarrhoea and vomiting caused by gastroenteritis in under 5s
- NHS: Rotavirus vaccine
- MedlinePlus: Viral gastroenteritis (Spanish)
Related guides
Medical Citations & Sources
This content is written and reviewed by a licensed physician with reference to the following official health authorities.
