Rotavirus gastroenteritis
The leading cause of diarrhoea requiring hospital care in children; prevented by an oral vaccine given from 6 weeks of age.
Transmission
Faecal–oral route, contact with contaminated surfaces, hands put in the mouth, children's toys.
Symptoms
Repeated vomiting for the first 1–2 days, followed by profuse watery diarrhoea (greenish stools), mild fever and abdominal pain.
Complications
Severe acute dehydration, electrolyte and acid–base disturbances, seizures, circulatory collapse and death if fluids are not replaced in time.
People at high risk
Children under 2 years, especially between 6 and 24 months of age.
Preventive vaccines
- Rotarix – Rotavirus vaccine (2 oral doses)
- Rotateq – Rotavirus vaccine (3 oral doses)
- Rotavac – Monovalent live attenuated rotavirus vaccine (116E)
- Rotavin-M1 – Vietnamese rotavirus vaccine