Viral Gastroenteritis
Astrovirus gastroenteritis, seen principally in
young children, resembles a mild form of rotavirus gastroenteritis.
After an incubation period of 1-4 days, watery diarrhea lasts for another
1-4 days or more and is accompanied by abdominal discomfort, vomiting,
and constitutional symptoms. Immunity probably lasts for years, and
most adults are resistant to experimental infection. Less severe
responses develop following subsequent exposure to one of the other serotypes.
Viral Diarrhea
Astrovirus infection is also a major cause of viral
diarrhea. As in astrovirus gastroenteritis, astrovirus diarrhea lasts
for 1-4 days or more following an incubation period of 1-4 days.