What is rotavirus?
Rotavirus is a virus that infects the lining of the intestines. It causes high fever, persistent vomiting and diarrhea in young children, typically during the winter in the United States.
Is rotavirus a serious illness?
Throughout the world, rotavirus kills about 600,000 infants and young children every year, more than any other single infectious disease. Every year in the United States, rotavirus causes illness in 2.7 million children. This illness leads to over 500,000 doctor visits, 70,000 hospitalizations and 60 deaths per year.
Is there a vaccine to prevent rotavirus?
In February 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended a new vaccine for infants to protect against rotavirus. The rotavirus vaccine contains five different rotavirus strains and is given by mouth to children in three separate doses at age 2, 4 and 6 months.
Is the rotavirus vaccine effective?
The rotavirus vaccine was part of a clinical research study that tested the effectiveness in more than 70,000 infants in the U.S. and other countries. 98% of children who received the rotavirus vaccine in trial were protected against severe rotavirus disease. The vaccine caused a 96% decrease in hospitalizations and 86% decrease in doctor visits due to rotavirus.
If you have questions about the rotavirus vaccine, talk with your doctor.
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