rotavirus

American  

[roh-tuh-vahy-ruhs] / ˈroʊ təˌvaɪ rəs /

noun

rotaviruses plural

1. a double-stranded RNA virus of the genus Rotavirus, family Reoviridae, that is a major cause of infant diarrhea.

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rotavirus British  

/ ˈrəʊtəˌvaɪrəs /

noun

1. any member of a genus of viruses that cause worldwide endemic infections. They occur in birds and mammals, cause diarrhoea in children, and are usually transmitted in food prepared with unwashed hands

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• rotaviruses
  plural

Etymology

Origin of rotavirus

1974; < Latin rota wheel + virus

Example Sentences

The AAP recommends that all children receive vaccines for hepatitis A and B, Covid-19, influenza, rotavirus and meningococcal disease, which causes meningitis and other infections.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 26, 2026

This week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced sweeping changes to the childhood vaccine schedule, removing broad recommendations for immunization against such diseases as flu, hepatitis A, rotavirus, and meningitis.

From Slate • Jan. 9, 2026

Other changes include dropping a mandatory hepatitis B vaccine for newborns, as well as identifying bacterial meningitis, rotavirus and COVID-19 as recommended only for “high risk groups.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 7, 2026

It’s a similar story for other common childhood diseases such as rotavirus, RSV and influenza.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 9, 2025

But the mRNA vaccines are "remarkably safe" and key to helping prevent against severe infections from viruses like Covid, said Dr Offit, who invented the rotavirus vaccine.

From BBC • Aug. 5, 2025