Can you protect your child against rotavirus?

These viruses from the Reoviridae family are the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis. They are tiny, round - hence their name "rotaviruses" - and very contagious . In addition, they have high immunity. A temperature of 60 degrees Celsius destroys them only after 30 minutes. They can survive on the surfaces of various objects for up to 2 months ! All you need to do is take a ride in an elevator that was used by someone infected before you to catch the infection. Young children are most at risk because they risk becoming dehydrated quickly. In extreme cases, they can even die.

How to protect yourself against rotavirus?

There is no remedy. It is relatively easy to become infected, primarily through direct contact with an infected person . Both through contact with a dirty surface touched by the infected person and contact with excretions (including saliva ). For example, through toys in a nursery or kindergarten. A person who has already had the disease can infect others for up to a week after the symptoms disappear . Therefore, it is absolutely crucial to practice rigorous hygiene - washing hands and disinfecting surfaces .

It is impossible to completely protect against infection. However, we can reduce the risk of severe infection by giving the child a vaccine. However, you must remember that the time window to vaccinate your toddler is small.

Rotavirus infection in children under 5 years often ends in hospital.

Once the rotavirus enters the body (transported, for example, on the hands), it damages the epithelium of the intestinal villi. This causes inflammation of the intestines and stomach . The incubation period of the virus in the body is from 1 to 3 days. Some sources say that the infection may not make itself felt for longer. When it manifests, it usually lasts from 4 to 10 days, although viral shedding can last up to a month.

The main symptoms are high fever and severe diarrhea. The stools are watery and yellowish-green in color. Vomiting also occurs , which leads to body weakness. Dehydration caused by rotavirus can lead to sudden drops in blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This is deadly, especially when combined with loss of appetite. A small child cannot be adequately hydrated at home. Therefore, hospitalization is often necessary in children up to 5 years of age .

Rotaviruses cause the most deaths in young children worldwide.

Virtually every child is infected with rotavirus. There is no measure that could prevent this. The illness itself does not protect against re-infection. Rotavirus infection is still one of the most common causes of death in the world among the youngest children. Before the introduction of vaccinations in 2004, there were 111 million cases of disease annually around the world. Of these, 0.5 million children died as a result of too late a reaction or lack of access to health care. In Poland, over 20,000 people register each year. up to 50 thousand cases of illness. More than 90% are cases of hospital treatment . In the event of an acute illness, you must react quickly and do not hesitate to visit the emergency room.

The rotavirus vaccine protects against hospitalization.

There is only one way to protect your child against the acute course of the disease - by vaccination. Rotavirus vaccinations are not mandatory, but from 2021 they are free . They take place in 2 or 3 doses. The first one must be administered before the age of 12 weeks , and the entire vaccination schedule must be completed before the 24th week of life.

According to the National Institute of Public Health, the vaccine protects by 85-98% against a very severe course of the disease and, consequently, against the need for hospitalization. It is administered orally , and the child can be vaccinated during another mandatory vaccination. Vaccines are usually well tolerated. Contraindications include a history of intussusception, serious immune system disorders, allergic reactions to substances contained in the vaccine and acute infectious diseases, as well as the occurrence of diarrhea or vomiting.

Bibliography:

1. “Rotaviruses”, Chief Sanitary Inspectorate, gov.pl. accessed February 23, 2022. https://www.gov.pl/web/gis/rotawirusy
2. “Vaccine against rotaviruses”, National Institute of Public Health, dziennik.pzh.gov.pl, accessed February 23, 2022.
3. “Rotavirus”, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, cdc.gov/rotavirus, accessed February 23, 2022.
4. “Rotavirus”, sciencedirect.com, accessed February 23, 2022.
5. Korycka M., “Rotavirus nosocomial infections”. Epidemiological Review 2004.
6. Korycka M., “Epidemiology of rotavirus infections in children.” Epidemiological Review 2001.