Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/ask-dr.-sue-immunization-news/5012524/
New Vaccine Prevents Infant Diarrhea and VomitingThe diarrhea virus called rotavirus infects nearly all children by the time they reach five years of age. Rotavirus is the most common cause of diarrhea and vomiting among infants and young children during the winter months. For young infants, this disease can lead to dehydration and hospitalization for intravenous treatment. Adults can become reinfected with the virus, but are less likely to have symptoms. Now a new vaccine against rotavirus is recommended for all infants under six months of age.
The risk of spread of rotavirus in child care is very high. Rotavirus is present in high concentrations in infected children and may be in the stool for two days before and up to ten days after the symptoms of illness appear. Also, the rotavirus is very hardy and can live on surfaces for a long time. In child care, children and adults who come in con-tact with stool touch many surfaces. Fecal contamination of the surfaces leads to the spread of the disease. The virus from an infected person's feces can get into the food supply and onto hands or objects that go into the mouth of a susceptible person. The incubation period is ...