Definition

A type of virus that is shaped like a wheel and can cause stomach infections, particularly in babies and young animals.

Example

The doctor explained that rotavirus is a common cause of diarrhea in infants.

Conversation

Have you heard about the recent outbreak of rotavirus in town?

Yeah, my neighbor's baby got really sick from it.

It's scary how quickly rotavirus can spread among kids.

I know! We should be extra careful and wash our hands often.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Rotavirus is formed from "rota" (from Latin, meaning wheel) and "virus" (from Latin, meaning poison or slimy liquid). The term describes the wheel-like appearance of the virus when viewed under a microscope, as well as its classification as a virus.

Memory Tip

Imagine a wheel ('rota') to remember that 'rotavirus' refers to a virus that looks like a wheel.

Visually Confused Words