by Katie Porterfield
November 29, 2011

What is rotavirus?
The leading cause of severe diarrhea in infants and young children worldwide, rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that causes inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. In addition to watery diarrhea, rotavirus often causes fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, and dehydration.

Why should I vaccinate my child?
Before the U.S. introduced a vaccine for infants in 2006, rotavirus not only topped the charts as the leading cause of severe diarrhea, it infected almost every child before their 5th birthday. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), during the pre-vaccine period, rotavirus was responsible each year for more than 400,000 doctors visits, more than 200,000 emergency room visits, 55,000 to 70,000 hospitalizations, and 20 to 60 deaths in children under the age of 5. Today, around the globe, more than half a million children die each year from severe diarrhea due to rotavirus.

The virus, which is most prevalent from December through June, spreads easily. In fact, that the CDC says handwashing and other good hygiene habits are not enough to control the spread of the disease. Rotavirus is found in a contaminated person’s feces (stool) and spreads through the fecal-oral route, which means the virus enters a person’s body through their mouth. For example, parents can spread the virus from an infected child to a healthy child by simply forgetting to wash their hands after changing the infected child’s diaper and then touching the healthy child’s face. In addition to contaminated hands, the virus can spread through contaminated objects (such as toys or utensils), food, and water.

The vaccine, which is 85 to 98 percent effective in preventing severe diarrhea, is the surest way to protect your child from rotavirus infection. Since its introduction five years ago, the number of babies and young children needing emergency room care or hospitalization due to rotavirus has decreased by 85 percent.

How many doses will my child receive?
The rotavirus vaccine is given orally, in two or three doses, depending on the brand of vaccine (there are two different brands that are equally effective). The vaccine may be given at the same time as other childhood vaccines.

When is the vaccine given?
The CDC recommends that children receive doses of the rotavirus vaccine at the following ages:

• 2 months of age
• 4 months of age
• 6 months of age (if needed, depending on brand of vaccine)

The first dose may be given as early as 6 weeks of age and should be given no later than day 6 of week 14. The last dose should be given when your child is no later than 8 months of age.

What are the possible side effects?
Most babies who get the rotavirus vaccine do not experience any serious problems. However, according to the CDC, babies may be more irritable or have mild, temporary diarrhea or vomiting after a dose of the vaccine. Some studies have shown a small increase in cases of intussusception—a rare type of bowel blockage—occurring within one week after receiving the first dose of rotavirus vaccine. A link between the rotavirus vaccine and intussusception was reported previously on baby gooroo. Intussusception occurs in 1 out of 100,000 infants, and depending on the severity of the condition, may require hospitalization and surgery. Despite this concern, the CDC continues to recommend the rotavirus vaccine based on evidence showing that the benefits outweigh the risks.

When should I call a doctor?
Parents should be particularly vigilant during the first week after the first dose of the rotavirus vaccine. Contact your child’s health care provider right away if your baby has even brief episodes of severe and unusual crying suggesting pain, vomiting, bloody stools, or is extremely weak or irritable. Parents should also be on the lookout for signs of a severe allergic reaction, which can occur within a few minutes to a few hours of receiving the vaccination. These signs include difficulty breathing, hoarseness, wheezing, hives, paleness, weakness, a fast heartbeat, or dizziness. Parents should also contact their child’s health care provider if their child has a high fever (100° F in newborns up to 6 weeks old; 102° F in children ages 6 weeks to 2 years).

Katie Porterfield is a freelance writer and former magazine editor in Nashville, Tennessee. She is mom to twin boys.