Diarrhoea after Rotavirus vaccine?

Hi there,

My little darling had his 8 week vaccinations about a week and a half ago and during this past week, he has had really watery diarrhoea. It happens only once or twice per day and doesn't seem to bother him. His poo is normally runny because I'm breastfeeding but not watery like this. Has this happened to anyone else? If he hadn't recently been vaccinated, I would worry that he might be lactose intolerant. He also seems to be very colicky at the same time each night and that only seems to have come on since being vaccinated. When should I expect the diarrhoea to stop altogether?

I'm facing these vaccinations this week...

As I'm now on a pretty heavy duty immuno-suppressent drug I've had a chat to my CHN about these ones. Apparently the rotavirus vaccine is one of very few that's still in the live form. I'm told that they then shed the virus in their poo for two weeks, and for those two weeks I'll need to wear gloves to change nappies.

I didn't think about it at the time, but I'd imagine that with the virus in their poo it will change things, but the two weeks seems to be as long as it can possibly go.

All theory and conjecture, though. I hope someone can give you a more definite answer.

BW

Yep my little man had the same thing after his rotavirus as well, I think he had it for the two weeks then it cleared up.

Like BW said it's a live virus and stays alive in their poo for the two weeks just make sure that your extra vigulent(sp) with had was as you may get it or reinfect bubs :).

hugs xoxo

Yes, it is a common side effect of the vaccine. LIke BW said, you need to be extra cautious with nappy changes and make sure you avoid any immuno-suppressed people.

Thanks for the advice girls. I didn't realise that the diarrhoea could last that long. Today it looks like it is finally half watery and half seedy. So maybe it is improving. I'm just happy to know that this can happen as I was worried that he had suddenly become intolerant to my breast milk! I will remember to be more vigilant with each nappy change as I know I can be a bit slack and just wipe my hands with baby wipes if I think I didn't come into contact with his poo.

BW, I wonder what it means for you to have your baby given this vaccination? Will you still have it done? Good luck.

It just means that if you are immune compromised that you are at risk of actually catching Rota Virus, which in someone who is severely compromised (like someone having chemotherapy) it can be devastating. Possibly not so much in someone like BW or myself as we are taking medication that supresses the immune system, but not to the extent as someone having chemo.