When a rotavirus infection strikes, give lots of fluid

Dear Doc,

Is a rotavirus infection serious?

Jenny

Dear Jenny,

A rotavirus infection can be very serious because the diarrhoea and vomiting caused by the virus can easily lead to dehydration.

Dehydration can result in hospitalisation and, in extreme cases, even death if treatment is not sought on time.

A child who is dehydrated is usually irritable, restless, tired, and thirsty. The child might also pass very little or no urine and cry but not produce tears. In cases of severe dehydration, the child might have a dry mouth, sunken eyes, a dry tongue and dry skin.

There is an increased risk of serious dehydration if a child is malnourished, or if medical attention is delayed.

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Dear Doc,

One of my children was diagnosed with a rotavirus infection about two weeks ago. Is there a chance that my other child will get the virus?

And is there anything I can do prevent this from happening?

Ruth

Dear Ruth,

The rotavirus is highly contagious. It can survive on the hands for at least four hours, and for days or weeks on solid surfaces. That virus can also remain alive for weeks in drinking water, and remain infective for up to a week in human faeces.

The rotavirus can be spread quickly in faeces through hand to mouth contact and can also be spread through contact with contaminated surfaces like hands, toys, dirty napkins, or food preparation surfaces.

The virus can also be passed from person to person through the air via coughing and sneezing. Often, the virus is spread if the infected person does not wash their hands properly after visiting the toilet.

Keeping surfaces clean and washing the hands regularly are some of the ways that can help reduce the spread of the virus, though it cannot be prevented completely. Taking your childfor a rotavirus vaccination is a more effective an in protecting them from getting infected.

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Dear Doc,

What causes a rotavirus infection and what are the risk factors associated with infection?

Harriet

Dear Harriet,

The rotavirus belongs to a family of viruses called reoviridae.

The rotavirus is present in the stool of an infected child for many days before the onset of symptoms and can stay for up to 10 days after the symptoms have subsided.

The main symptoms of rotavirus include fever, stomach pains, vomiting that usually lasts two to three days, and watery diarrhoea that can persist for five to eight days.

Because there are several types of rotavirus, it is possible for a child to get infected with different strains of the virus. Therefore, it is very common for a child to have numerous separate infections of rotavirus during childhood, even if he or she has been vaccinated. However, the subsequent infections are usually less severe than the first one.

Infants and children below five years are at heighest risk of being infected with the rotavirus. Since rotavirus infection is highly contagious, a child who attends day care or is in frequent contact with other children is at a greater risk of being infected.

However, most children will have a rotavirus infection by the age of three. Siblings, parents or a person attending to a child infected with rotavirus can become carriers of the virus and thus spread it to other people.

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Dear Doc,

My two-month-old child has been having recurrent episodes of diarrhoea. Is it safe to give him a rotavirus vaccine, and will it prevent him from suffering from diarrhoea and any other sickness?

Titus Mwai

Dear Mwai,

Since the rotavirus is so widespread, it is not easy to prevent infection in children who have not been vaccinated. Even places with high standards of hygiene can be contaminated with the virus.

Rotateq is an oral vaccine that can be give to children in three doses at the ages of two, four, and six months. Another oral vaccine known as Rotatrixis administered in two doses at the ages of two and four months.

Both vaccines can be given from six weeks, and the dose should be completed by six months. They are both highly effective.

Previous rotavirus vaccines were associated with cropping of the intestines. However, rotateq and rotarix s are safe since they have been thoroughly tested, so parents should not refuse to take their children for vaccination. In Kenya, these vaccines are only available at private hospitals, and at a fee.

The rotavirus is not the only cause of diarrhoea and sickness in babies, so the vaccine will not prevent your child from getting bouts of vomiting, diarrhoea or sicknesses caused by other types of viruses or other non-viral causes.

However, the larger the number of children who get vaccinated against the virus, the less it will spread.

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Dear Doc,

When should rotavirus vaccine not be given to a baby?

Mum

Dear Mum,

The vaccine for the rotavirus is safe for babies aged between two and twenty-four months. However, babies should not be vaccinated if:

They have severe vomiting, diarrhoea, or fever on the day of vaccinaton. If this happens, vaccination should be postponed until the baby has recovered.

They have reacted badly to the previous dose of vaccine against the virus or to any of the ingredients in the vaccine.

They have certain, specific long-term conditions such as fructose intolerance or intestine disorder.

They are older than 24 months.

This article was written by Dr Malavu and the panel of DN2 health professionals. Do you have a question about your health? Please send it to [email protected]