Rotavirus Flashcards
What is the incubation period?
1-5 days
What are the symptoms of rotavirus?
Acute vomiting and fever, then diarrhea
At which age is the disease mild and more severe?
Mild in the first three months of life because of transplacental antibodies
Moderate: three months to five years - spectrum of disease from mild watery diarrhea to severe diarrhea with vomiting, dehydration and shock
How long does that disease last for?
Is recurrence common?
3-8 days
After natural infection, children develop partial protection against subsequent severe disease
How common is rota virus?
Very common
Every kid gets rotavirus at least once by 5
Why would you vaccinate against rotavirus?
Because it’s common
Because it causes significant burden of illness and health care resource use
Do kids die of rota virus?
Not in the developed world but plenty of kids die lin the developing world 5% of all deaths in kids less than five
What are some risk factors for severe rotavirus infections?
Premature infants - no transplacental maternal antibodies
? No breast feeding
Immunocompromised
What are the seasons for rotavirus?
February March in west
March April in east
Should you do any testing in a kid with rotavirus?
It does not impact course so is not needed
If you want to - antigen detection by enzyme immunoassay or PCR (most sensitive)
What are the options for rotavirus vaccine?
- RotaTeq - live oral pentavalent vaccine from human and bovine sources. Three oral doses starting at six weeks and separated by four weeks. 74% effective
- Rotarix - live attenuated monovalent human rotavirus vaccine derived from a human strain. Orally in two doss starting at six weeks and separated by four weeks. 85% effective
What are the concerns regarding safety of the rotavirus vaccine?
A possible association with intussusception. Recent trials found no association
Fecal viral shedding.
What are some contraindications and precautions?
Contraindications: hypersensitivity to vaccine, intussusception, Immunocompromised
Precautions: acute gastroenteritis, chronic GI disease (ex malabsorption problems), hirschsprungs and short gut
Can premature infants get the vaccine?
Yes. They should get the vaccine between 6 - 32 weeks chronological age
What is the timing of the vaccine?
Started between six to 14 weeks
Series completed by 8 months
