(VIS) ‘What is Rotavirus?’
Doctor Ketaki Sharma: Rotavirus is a viral infection that can make your child very sick. Rotavirus spreads via the vomit or faeces of an infected person through close contact, contaminated objects such as toys, and contaminated food or drink.
(VIS) ‘What happens if my child gets rotavirus?’
Doctor Sharma: Rotavirus causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines and can be very dangerous for young babies and children. It can cause fever, vomiting, and watery diarrhoea, which can lead to dehydration, sometimes requiring hospitalisation for treatment. Typical symptoms of rotavirus are vomiting, followed by diarrhoea. Around one in 3 people with rotavirus will experience a fever following infection. Symptoms usually last from a few days to a week.
(VIS) ‘What vaccine will protect my child?’
Doctor Sharma: Vaccination is the best way to protect your baby from rotavirus. The oral rotavirus vaccine is a liquid which is swallowed. Under the National Immunisation Program, children should receive the vaccine at 2 months and 4 months of age for the best possible protection.
(VIS) 'How does the vaccine work?’
Doctor Sharma: The vaccine contains a weakened version of the virus which trains your child’s immune system with antibodies to recognise and fight the disease. Vaccination reduces their chances of getting rotavirus and if they do get it, they have a much lower risk of serious illness and hospitalisation.
(VIS) ‘What are the common reactions or side effects?’
Doctor Sharma: About 3% of babies who get a rotavirus vaccine will experience diarrhoea or vomiting the week following. This usually only lasts a day or 2. More serious side effects are very rare.
(VIS) ‘What impact has vaccination had on the prevalence of the disease?’
Doctor Sharma: Before the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine to the National Immunisation Program, there were thousands of hospitalisations and emergency department visits from this disease. This was due to severe complications of rotavirus in children aged under 5 years in Australia. The introduction of rotavirus vaccines in Australia resulted in a large decrease in rotavirus hospitalisations in children aged under 5 years.
(VIS) ‘Where to find more information’
(VIS) ‘Always talk to your health professional if you have any questions about childhood vaccinations. For more information, visit Sharing Knowledge About Immunisation at skai.org.au/childhood’
In this video, Dr Ketaki Sharma shares how you can protect your child from rotavirus with free vaccines available under the National Immunisation Program.