How Does Your Stool Smell If You or Your Child Has Rotavirus?

Loose and watery stools are a common symptom of rotavirus, which may also have a distinct, foul-smelling odor. Rotavirus stool may appear green, yellow, or brown in color.
Rotavirus is a virus that affects the digestive tract. It causes gastroenteritis, an infection of the gastrointestinal tract. It most commonly affects children up to 5 years old, but rotavirus can affect people of any age.
Diarrhea and vomiting are the main symptoms of rotavirus. These symptoms can lead to dehydration, especially in kids. If fluids aren't replaced or the illness lasts longer than 1 week, dehydration may become a medical emergency.
Although stool doesn't usually have a pleasant smell, research suggests that rotavirus stools in particular may have a distinct smell.
Learn more about what rotavirus stool smells like, other symptoms of rotavirus to look for, and what to do if you think you or your child has this virus.
What does rotavirus stool smell like?
Poop doesn't usually smell good, but stool from rotavirus may have a distinctly foul smell, akin to a slight sulfur or rotten egg smell.
A 1987 study found that rotavirus stools in children had a distinct smell. Many nurses were able to classify the underlying cause of diarrhea based on smell alone, which was more effective than changes in stool color or texture.
Researchers aren't exactly sure why rotavirus may cause stools to have a distinct, foul-smelling odor. But it may be due to the virus's effects on the gut microbiome, colon fluid, and levels of acids, fats, and sugars in the stool.
What color is stool with rotavirus?
Other rotavirus symptoms
Symptoms of rotavirus typically appear within 2 days of contracting the virus and may last up to 8 days. Along with foul-smelling stools, symptoms may include:
Persistent diarrhea and vomiting may lead to dehydration, which may become serious if left untreated.
When to get medical attention
It's important to get medical attention if you or a child has symptoms of severe dehydration or high fever.
In adults, these can include confusion and dizziness. In everyone, including babies and toddlers, signs and symptoms of severe dehydration may include:
lethargy
not responding or acting as they normally do (in babies and toddlers)
rapid heart rate or breathing
sunken eyes
irritability
high fever
excessive thirst
decreased urination (fewer wet diapers)
crying without tears
soft spot on the top of the baby's head
You should also connect with a doctor if you're vomiting is persistent and doesn't get better.
What other conditions cause foul-smelling diarrhea?
Many gastrointestinal conditions may cause foul-smelling diarrhea, including:
other infections, like norovirus
malabsorption
Crohn's disease
celiac disease
short bowel syndrome
pancreatitis
cystic fibrosis
Certain dietary changes, such as going on a high fiber diet, may also cause foul-smelling diarrhea.
How is rotavirus treated?
Most cases of rotavirus can be treated with at-home care. The best thing to do is to stay hydrated and let the virus run its course. This includes drinking lots of fluids.
In many cases, drinking water is OK, but make sure you're also replacing the electrolytes you lose through vomiting or diarrhea.
Electrolyte drinks like Pedialyte or Gatorade (for older children or adults) may be helpful, but consider limiting apple juice, as the sugar in it may worsen diarrhea.
If you or your child gets severely dehydrated, intravenous (IV) fluid rehydration in a hospital may be required. This involves injecting fluids directly into your bloodstream via a vein, usually in the arm.
In some cases, adults can take antidiarrheal medication to help relieve symptoms. But for children, it's best to speak with a pediatrician to discuss the best method of management, as they may not be able to take medications.
Other important things to do if you think you or your child has rotavirus include:
staying home to rest, since rotavirus is very contagious
washing your hands often
waiting to eat once the vomiting has stopped (usually after the first 24 hours)
Frequently asked questions
Can you prevent rotavirus from being transmitted?
Practicing good hand hygiene can help prevent rotavirus from being transmitted from one person to another. Wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer frequently throughout the day.
It's especially important to wash your hands after changing diapers, caring for a sick child, and using the bathroom.
Children should also keep their hands out of their mouths as much as possible.
The best way to prevent rotavirus transmission is to make sure children get the rotavirus vaccine, which is part of routine childhood vaccinations.
Practicing good hand hygiene can help prevent rotavirus from being transmitted from one person to another. Wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer frequently throughout the day.
It's especially important to wash your hands after changing diapers, caring for a sick child, and using the bathroom.
Children should also keep their hands out of their mouths as much as possible.
The best way to prevent rotavirus transmission is to make sure children get the rotavirus vaccine, which is part of routine childhood vaccinations.
Can adults get rotavirus?
Yes, people of any age can get rotavirus.
Yes, people of any age can get rotavirus.
How do doctors diagnose rotavirus?
Symptoms of rotavirus are similar to those of other gastrointestinal conditions, so doctors often look at symptoms and treat those rather than testing for rotavirus.
However, doctors will rule out any serious conditions, like appendicitis. They may also test for bacterial causes of symptoms. Bacterial infections can cause more severe illnesses and are sometimes treated with antibiotics.
Symptoms of rotavirus are similar to those of other gastrointestinal conditions, so doctors often look at symptoms and treat those rather than testing for rotavirus.
However, doctors will rule out any serious conditions, like appendicitis. They may also test for bacterial causes of symptoms. Bacterial infections can cause more severe illnesses and are sometimes treated with antibiotics.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Yahoo

15 minutes ago

• Yahoo

Want To Lose Weight? Here's the One Thing Dietitians Are Begging You To Do When You Wake Up

Want To Lose Weight? Here's the One Thing Dietitians Are Begging You To Do When You Wake Up originally appeared on Parade. Chances are, your morning routine doesn't change much day to day. Humans are creatures of habit—and habits are especially helpful to have when you're half awake. Whether your morning routine is slow and leisurely (spent writing in your journal and savoring a cup of coffee), or rushed (eating a protein bar as you get the kids out the door), it likely looks the same most of the you spend your mornings, it directly impacts your health for better or for worse—especially when it comes to your breakfast habits. With this in mind, dietitians share one breakfast habit they wish more people would adopt to support their health both in the short term and long term. While it can benefit your overall health, it can also be very helpful for weight loss.🩺SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week💊 If you typically start your day with something sweet, like sugar-sweetened oatmeal, fruit-flavored yogurt or a pastry, consider transitioning to a savory breakfast instead. While American culture tends to assign savory foods to lunch and dinner, the dietitians we talked to said that getting in the habit of eating a savory breakfast will more positively impact health.'Savory breakfasts are better for blood sugar control and set the stage for the rest of the day,' says Lindsay Allen, RD, a registered dietitian at BodyPure Functional Nutrition. She explains that starting the day with a big rise in blood sugar (which simple carbs like white bread or sugar can cause), leads to an energy crash later in the day. Related: Allen adds that this blood sugar crash also causes mood to tank because drastic blood sugar changes make many people feel anxious and jittery. 'Starting the day with a mix of protein and fat is one of the best ways to keep it level all day long,' she says.'Many studies have shown that limiting sugar intake in the morning can give you a head start for the day,' says Gabriella Nowicki, RDN, a registered dietitian at Rebecca Bitzer & Associates. She explains that savory foods are typically higher in protein and healthy fats, which keep blood sugar levels steady. Scientific research also shows that high-protein breakfasts are linked to weight loss. Registered dietitian Lisa Cicciarello Andrews, RD, points to another study showing that including protein at breakfast resulted in lower blood pressure and higher HDL levels. Related: Starting the day with a savory breakfast instead of a sweet one benefits long-term health too, when it's done consistently. 'A 2024 study on diet and cardiovascular disease noted that savory foods, such as legumes, fish, beans and seafood, were associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, while refined carbohydrates increased the risk,' Andrews says. Nowicki adds that prioritizing adequate protein and minimizing added sugar in the morning can also support muscle development, reduce brain fog, reduce anxiety and enhance overall cognitive you eat breakfast matters too. Scientific research shows that people who ate breakfast before 11 a.m. experienced lower blood pressure and more weight loss than those who ate breakfast after 11 a.m. If you're trying to lose weight, it's best to eat breakfast no later than two hours after waking up. Related: If you're not used to having a savory meal in the morning, you may be wondering what a breakfast that won't spike your blood sugar even looks like. When making a savory breakfast (or any meal for that matter), Nowicki says it should include protein, healthy fats and fiber. This can look like eggs with veggies and avocado, scrambled tofu with spinach, non-sweetened oatmeal made with vegetable broth, miso and veggies, or a breakfast burrito made with eggs, beans, cheese and salsa. It's also important to know that just because a breakfast is savory, it doesn't automatically mean it's healthy. 'Savory breakfasts can be higher in sodium, especially those that include processed meats like bacon or ham,' Nowicki says. She recommends limiting both sugar and sodium at breakfast (and other meals) while increasing protein, fiber and healthy fats for a more nourishing start to the day. Once you start making savory breakfasts a habit, you'll likely notice your energy and mood are much more stable than when starting the day with something sweet. And it will still be just as delicious! Up Next: Lindsay Allen, RD, registered dietitian at BodyPure Functional Nutrition Gabriella Nowicki, RDN, registered dietitian at Rebecca Bitzer & Associates Lisa Cicciarello Andrews, RD, registered dietitian and founder of Sound Bites Nutrition Want To Lose Weight? Here's the One Thing Dietitians Are Begging You To Do When You Wake Up first appeared on Parade on Jun 22, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.

Yahoo

17 minutes ago

• Yahoo

The dangerous consequences of taking a cold shower on a hot day

When the weather warms up, many of us use a nice cold shower to help us cool down. But while this might feel like relief, it might actually not be helping the body cool off at all. Our body's optimal temperature is around 37°C. This temperatures ensures our body systems can function properly. But when the core gets too hot the temperature regulating centre of the brain starts sending nervous signals out to the blood vessels and muscles in or near the skin – telling them to start activating their cooling mechanisms. If our core stays at high temperature for too long (around 39-40°C), this can lead to organ damage. So to ensure our temperature stays optimal, the body uses multiple techniques to cool itself down. For instance, the body radiates heat into the surrounding environment by electromagnetic (thermal) radiation. Approximately 60% of our body heat is lost this way. Sweating is another mechanism the body uses. Around 22% of our body heat is lost this way. But when the air temperature around us exceeds our body temperature, sweating becomes the dominant mechanism for reducing core temperature. Any remaining body heat is then lost through a mixture of convection into the air or liquid the body may be in contact with and conduction into solid objects that the body may be in contact with. To support these mechanisms, our blood vessels change diameter. The ones closest to the skin dilate (widen) to allow more blood into them so they can get close to the relatively cooler surface of the skin. The body then works to circulate the blood so that heat from inside the body can be moved to the periphery to cool off. Similarly on our skin, the hairs remain flat to allow air next to the body to cool and be replaced, helping to dissipate heat. Of course, when the weather gets really hot outside, these mechanisms just don't feel like they cut it. Although diving into a cold bath or shower straight after being out in the heat might feel nice on your skin, it isn't doing what is needed to reduce the core temperature of the body. It might also be risky for some people. When exposed to cold, the blood vessels near to the skin constrict – reducing the blood flow into these areas. So in the context of cooling the body down, jumping into a cold shower does the opposite of what needs to happen, as less blood is now flowing to the surface of the skin. This will hold the heat in and around your organs instead of getting rid of it. Basically, you're tricking your body that it doesn't need to cool down, but actually needs to conserve heat. And, depending on how cold your water is, sudden exposure could even trigger dangerous consequences for some people. Exposure to water that is 15°C can trigger the cold shock response. This causes the blood vessels in the skin (those in contact with the cold water) to constrict rapidly. This increases blood pressure as the heart is now pumping against increased resistance. This response can be particularly dangerous in people with underlying heart conditions, such as coronary artery disease. The cold shock response can also lead to an irregular heartbeat and even death when going from very hot to cold. Thankfully, these events are rare – and probably won't happen if you're just taking a cold shower or bath in your home. But you might want to skip the cold plunge or avoid taking an ice bath on a hot day for this reason. Hot showers are also a bad idea on a warm day. Although it's sometimes said that a hot shower helps the body cool down faster, this unfortunately isn't true. Water that is warmer than the body is going to transfer energy in the form of heat into the body. This again prevents the body getting rid of heat – potentially increasing its core temperature. On a hot day, a tepid or lukewarm bath or shower is the way to go, evidence suggests 26-27°C is most effective. This helps bring blood to the surface to cool, without being cold enough to cause the body to think it needs to conserve its heat. Another reason to skip a cold shower on a hot day is that it might not help you get clean. When we get hot, we sweat – and this sweat mixes with sebum, another skin product and the bacteria on our skin, which produces body odour. Cold water has been shown to be less effective at removing and breaking down sebum and other detritus on the skin, compared to warmer water, which means body odour will persist. Cold water also causes the skin to tighten. This might potentially trap sebum and dirt within the pores. This can lead to blackheads, whiteheads and acne. But warm or lukewarm water can help dissolve and loosen material in the pores. As you plan your escape and recovery from the heat this week, a lukewarm or cool shower or bath, rather than a cold shower, is a safer and more effective choice. This will allow your body to dissipate heat away from your core without harm. Equally, if you do feel the need to go cooler, do it gradually so you aren't shocking the body's automatic temperature regulation system into action. Turning the temperature down gradually if you want to go cold, or slowly placing a limb in at a time can help with this process. Adam Taylor is a Professor of Anatomy at Lancaster University. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Associated Press

21 minutes ago

• Associated Press

3Aware Announces Formation of Scientific Advisory Board

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA / ACCESS Newswire / June 23, 2025 / 3Aware, a leading innovator in real-world evidence (RWE) solutions for the medical device industry, today announced the formation of its Scientific Advisory Board. The Board will advise on clinical, regulatory, and scientific strategy to support the company's work in RWE for medical devices. The Board's inaugural members are Dr. Bassil Akra, Dr. Philippe Auclair, and Dr. Trevor Carden. Dr. Akra will serve as Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board. Bassil Akra, PhD, is the CEO of AKRA TEAM GmbH, a medical device consulting firm he founded in 2021. He is a leading expert on European medical device regulations, having helped shape the implementation of the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) and In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR). Dr. Akra previously served as Vice President of Strategic Business Development at TÜV SÜD, where he guided regulatory compliance and clinical strategy for medical device approvals. Philippe Auclair, PharmD, PhD, is Former Senior Director of Regulatory Strategy and Advocacy at Abbott. He has over 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, with a focus on global regulatory policy and post-market surveillance. Dr. Auclair chairs MedTech Europe's working groups on post-market surveillance and Notified Bodies, and he has been recognized as a Fellow of the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society (RAPS) for his contributions to regulatory science. Trevor Carden, PhD, is Director of Scientific Affairs at Teleflex, where he leads the scientific and technical strategies for clinical evidence generation across a diverse medical device portfolio. With a PhD in genetics, genomics, and bioinformatics, Dr. Carden focuses on regulatory compliance and optimizing clinical evaluation processes. 'We are thrilled to welcome such esteemed experts to our Scientific Advisory Board,' said Amelia Hufford, PhD, Senior Vice President of Clinical & Regulatory Science at 3Aware. 'Their combined expertise in clinical research and regulatory policy will help ensure our real-world evidence initiatives meet the highest standards of scientific rigor and compliance.' 'This board's formation underscores 3Aware's commitment to delivering best-in-class solutions,' said Kyle Howes, Vice President of Sales at 3Aware. 'By engaging these industry leaders, we ensure our RWE platform continues to deliver exceptional value and instill confidence in our clients.' 'I am honored to join 3Aware's Scientific Advisory Board,' said Dr. Bassil Akra. 'Real-world evidence is increasingly critical for advancing medical device innovation and patient safety. I look forward to working with the 3Aware team to maximize the impact of RWE for device manufacturers.' Contact InformationPhil Stoltzfus VP of Marketing & Public Relations SOURCE: 3Aware press release