Rotavirus Infections
Rotavirus (Pronounced - row-tuh-virus) is a virus that causes severe diarrhea, mostly in babies and young children, often accompanied by vomiting, fever, and dehydration. It is the leading cause of diarrhea in infants and young children in the United States and worldwide, resulting in the hospitalization of approximately 55,000 to 70,000 children each year in the United States and the death of over 600,000 children annually worldwide. Almost all children in the United States are likely to be infected with rotavirus before their 5th birthday.
Once a child gets the virus, the incubation period for rotavirus disease is approximately 2 days. The disease is characterized by vomiting and watery diarrhea for 3 to 8 days, and fever and abdominal pain occur frequently. Immunity after infection is incomplete, but repeat infections tend to be less severe than the original infection.
Children are most likely to get rotavirus infection between November and May, depending on the part of the country. It is very easy for children with the rotavirus infection to spread it to other children and sometimes to adults. Rotarix vaccine can protect your child against the virus. Rotarix vaccine is a liquid and given in a two-dose series to infants from 6 to 24 weeks of age.
Each year in the United States rotavirus is responsible for:
- More than 400,000 doctor visits
- More than 200,000 emergency room visits
- 55,000 to 70,000 hospitalizations
- 20 to 60 deaths
Treatment
Treatment is replacing lost body fluids. Having your child drink products with water, sugar and minerals usually helps. In severe cases children need to go to the hospital - where body fluids are replaced with fluids given directly to the child through the veins using an intravenous (IV) line.
This summary does not include everything there is to know about Rotavirus. If you have questions or concerns, or want more information, your child's doctor will have the most current information. They can give you the vaccine package insert or suggest other sources of information. Call your local or state health department's immunization program or contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): call 1-800-232-4636 (1-800-CDC-INFO) or visit the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines. To read more about Rotavirus visit: fda.gov
References:
National Library of Medicine (NLM) - Atril 2007 - www.nlm.nih.gov/
This summary is a general overview about the topic discussed and does not include all the facts, or include everything there is to know about any medicine and/or products mentioned. Do not use any medicine and/or products without first talking to your doctor. Possible side effects of medications, other than those listed, may occur. Other brand names or generic forms of this medicine may also be available. If you have questions or concerns, or want more information, your doctor or pharmacist has the complete prescribing information about this medicine and possible drug interactions. Full Disclaimer
|