What is in a rotavirus vaccine?
The vaccine contains live human rotavirus that has been weakened (attenuated), so that it stimulates the immune system but does not cause disease in healthy people. However it should not be given to people who are clinically immunosuppressed (either due to drug treatment or underlying illness).
Why is rotavirus vaccination important?
Since its introduction into the vaccination programme, the rotavirus vaccine has significantly reduced the number of children who have diarrhoea and vomiting, and reduced the number of severe rotavirus infections.
What causes rotavirus?
Rotavirus is most often spread through a fecal-oral route. This is often because a child does not wash his or her hands properly or often enough. It can also be caused by eating or drinking contaminated food or water. The virus may live on surfaces such as doorknobs, toys, and other hard objects for a long time.
What age is rotavirus vaccine given?
The first dose of rotavirus vaccine should be given before a child is 15 weeks of age. Children should receive all doses of rotavirus vaccine before they turn 8 months of age. Both vaccines are given by putting drops in the infant’s mouth.
How do children get rotavirus?
What part of the body does rotavirus affect?
Rotavirus is a gastrointestinal (stomach and intestine) infection. It can happen to anyone, but most often affects children. Call your healthcare provider if your child has diarrhea and fever, both common rotavirus symptoms. The provider will recommend plenty of fluids and rest, as well as medicine to reduce fever.
What is rotavirus caused by?
Is rotavirus vaccine necessary?
CDC recommends that infants get rotavirus vaccine to protect against rotavirus disease. Two rotavirus vaccines are currently licensed for infants in the United States. Starting at 2 months old, infants should get two or three doses depending on the brand of rotavirus vaccine.
Is the rotavirus vaccine necessary?
How do I know if my child has rotavirus?
A rotavirus infection usually starts within two days of exposure to the virus. Early symptoms are a fever and vomiting, followed by three to seven days of watery diarrhea. The infection can cause abdominal pain as well.
What is another name for rotavirus?
Rotavirus B, also called adult diarrhoea rotavirus or ADRV, has caused major epidemics of severe diarrhoea affecting thousands of people of all ages in China.
Is rotavirus a serious disease?
It is often accompanied by fever, vomiting as well as diarrhea. Rotavirus is not the only cause of severe diarrhea, but it is one of the most common and serious. While many cases are mild, others can be severe, leading to dehydration. Dehydration can be a serious medical condition.
How does a baby get rotavirus?
Almost all children get infected by the age of 5. Your baby can catch rotavirus at any time of year, but it is most common from November to May. A child usually picks up this virus by putting her fingers in her mouth after touching something contaminated with the stool of an infected person.
What does rotavirus poop smell like?
Each infection has its own chemical signature, the team found. Patients with rotavirus – the leading cause of childhood diarrhoea – have ethyl dodecanoate in their gas. This compound, which smells of pears, was missing in samples from patients with other diseases.
What is the fastest way to get rid of rotavirus?
There is no cure for rotavirus. Drinking plenty of fluids, such as oral rehydration solution, helps mild dehydration. Severe dehydration may require hospitalization and IV fluids. Rest, stay home, wash hands frequently.
What disease does rotavirus cause?
Disease Burden
Rotavirus infection causes severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide. Globally, there are at least 600,000 children < 5 years old who die from diarrhea with severe dehydration and electrolyte and acid-base disturbances each year [6].
How does a child get rotavirus?
Children can catch a rotavirus infection if they put their fingers in their mouths after touching something that has been contaminated by the stool of an infected person. Usually this happens when children forget to wash their hands often enough, especially before eating and after using the toilet.
How is rotavirus transmitted?
The primary mode of transmission is the fecal-oral route, usually through direct contact between people. Because the virus is stable in the environment, transmission also can occur through ingestion of contaminated water or food and contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.