Rotavirus vaccine Q's

**Heaven** · May 5th, 2009, 02:56 PM

I'm just trying to decide which vaccinations to get DD when I see the Dr tomorrow. I think I've pretty much made up my mind about what I think and I'm going to talk to her about it tomorrow. The one that I don't know about though it Rotavirus. I can't find much information about it. This is what I know:

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children in Australia.
Children can be infected with rotavirus several times during their lives, and almost every child will suffer at least one infection by the age of three years. It is easily spread from one child to the next. Symptoms range from mild, watery diarrhoea to severe, dehydrating diarrhoea with vomiting, fever, and shock.
Rotavirus infections are often more severe than other causes of diarrhoea. They are more likely to be associated with dehydration and require treatment in hospital. Confirmation of rotavirus infection can only be made by laboratory testing of faecal specimens.
In Australia, it is estimated in children less than five years of age that there are approximately 10,000 hospitalisations, 115,000 GP visits, 22,000 emergency department visits and one death due to rotavirus
each year.

Sounds pretty scary that so many have to go to hospital with it. But how are so many kids even getting it if they're vaccinated? Apparently almost everyone by the age of 5 has had it.

But also:

Rotavirus is transmitted by the faecal-oral route

So it doesn't seem like my baby is at a very high risk of contracting it atm. But apparently I can't delay it. The MCHN said that if she's older than 12wks they won't give it to her?? Is this right??

Any info would be great!

ETA- I just read the common side effects of the vaccine are fever vomiting and diarrhea. Great, thought it was meant to prevent that.

**lilima** · May 5th, 2009, 02:59 PM

I don't know about the age of vaccine, but I can say that when I had DS, they were not vaccinated against it. DS was VERY sick with rotavirus earlier this year. It was TERRIBLE, and as I was pregnant at the time, I ended uo with gastro symptoms too. DS was very dehydtrated, as was I, and i ended up on a drip. DS only managed to stay off it as we syringe fed him fluids.
So talking from experience, it is very unpleasant

**~clover~** · May 5th, 2009, 03:31 PM

The vax for rota virus is relitively new. My guess is those numbers may not be up to date.
DD2 had rota virus at 6 months old & ended up in hospital. She was sicker with that than with any other stomach bug my kids have had.
DS was vaxed against it. He had no side effects. I had him done as I was scared of him getting it, but DD1 never had it. I'm not even sure how DD2 got it, she was around primary school aged kids, but none of them were sick & if it came home with DD1 I'd think she'd have gotten sick too.

**Pretty Butterfly** · May 5th, 2009, 04:27 PM

My DD got it when she was TT... This is how I think she got it.

She was in hospital with a drip for fluids, but was walking around annoying us just fine...

So maybe a mild dose?

None of my kids have had the vac I dont think... They are 3 and almost 2... would they have had with the normal ones back then?? Harmony hasn't.

There have been some bad reactions, twisted bowels and the like, with the vac, so I have held that one off till she is likely to get it from somewhere. In my eyes she isn't is much danger of catching it, unless one of the other kids get it, and accidently infect her with fecal matter. But I am extremely careful with anyones contact with her.

I will consider it when she starts playing with other kids, toys etc

But I think your right. Its not very dangerous once they are a little older, so I dont think they vac then. Its a short term temporary vac, I *think*.

**Heaven** · May 5th, 2009, 04:56 PM

Thanks for the info guys!!
I read about that twisted bowel thing and apparently that was when a different vaccine for it was first introduced and they've changed it now?? And there's apparently much less reactions to the new one.

Hmm...... so they won't do it when they're older anyway coz it's not as serious but she's not likely to catch it before then anyway? Will ask the Dr about it tomorrow anyway but I'm not sure what she's like with vaccinations. Hope she doesn't try and pressure me into anything. Lucky DH is coming with me!

**Pretty Butterfly** · May 5th, 2009, 05:06 PM

Thanks for the info guys!!
I read about that twisted bowel thing and apparently that was when a different vaccine for it was first introduced and they've changed it now?? And there's apparently much less reactions to the new one.

!

Oohhh, thanks for that!!! I didn't know, and I like to keep up to date with vac things, for when the time comes to choose Harmony's.Will go searching now.....

**Nai** · May 5th, 2009, 05:07 PM

DD1 wasn't vaccinated (as it wasn't around then) and 2 of her friends were hospitalised with it and it was very scary. There is a window of age where they can have the vaccine but I thought it was 6mo not 3mo?

**~clover~** · May 5th, 2009, 05:32 PM

Rotar virus is done at 2 & 4 months according to my blue book
If born on or after May 1 2007

**Pretty Butterfly** · May 5th, 2009, 05:39 PM

So Kane prob did have it then....

It's around 70% effective, for a while. I cant find much else....

**butterfly_warrior** · May 5th, 2009, 06:15 PM

They give the rotavirus vaccine at 2, 4 and 6 months according to my info.

As I'm on immune supressing drugs and it is a live virus, I have to wear gloves for two weeks after Sam's immunisations each time I change a dirty nappy. I'm absolutely meticulous about hygiene regarding nappy changes normally, and even more so after his vaccinations (even putting a glove on to put bum cream on him when he hasn't had a dirty nappy!). Despite all precautions, I managed to catch it this time around. It's not too bad for adults, but I was in agony for a few days... I know it has pretty rough side effects, but the real virus would be so much worse than what I experienced. As much as I hate what it does to him (and what I have to do afterwards), after experiencing that... I'm glad I got him to have that one. My experience also demonstrated to me just how easily the virus is to catch, too!

BW

**lilima** · May 5th, 2009, 08:09 PM

I jsut wanted to add, then DS contracted the disease from swimming in a river up at the holiday house. So you can get it from all diffference sources.

**Heaven** · May 6th, 2009, 11:51 AM

So you can get it from the actual vaccine? And we can too? Brilliant!
I still don't know what to do and my appt is in 1/2hr

**butterfly_warrior** · May 6th, 2009, 11:55 AM

SJ, it's only a problem because I'm on immune-supressing drugs. Unless you're also on stuff like methotrexate and prednisone, your immune system will be healthy enough to handle it. Mine isn't. I have to take extra precautions and even then it's sometimes not enough.

BW

**Heaven** · May 6th, 2009, 11:57 AM

Oh, phew, thanks BW. And

to you!

**visitor1** · May 6th, 2009, 01:13 PM

DD1 never got it...wasnt on the schedule when she was born and she always gets it bad.

DD2 did have it and when ever DD1 has it, she only has a very minimal case, if at all

DS has only had the 2 month dose so far.

IMO its well worth it.....just seeing the difference in my 2 girls and how severe one gets it and the other hardly anything at all....i think its helped in the long run. Even better its an oral thing not another needle!

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