Rotateq Infant Vaccination for Rotovirus Prevention
No time is a good time for your baby to be ill. As parents, it is of up most importance that your babies are well taken care of. Taking care of an infant is hard work! There are so many illnesses that can affect your precious baby at any time. One common infant illness is Rotavirus. Recently, the focus has changed from treating the Rotovirus illness to possibly preventing it altogether.
On February 3, 2006, Merck’s Rotateq vaccine was approved by the FDA. The vaccination will work to prevent the rotavirus infection in infants. Despite the rotavirus infections’ widespread effects, many people are still unaware of the dangers or even the signs and symptoms of the illness.
Rotovirus is a virus that affects people of all ages but sends approximately 200,000 young children to the ER yearly. The rotavirus infection is also estimated to be the cause of at least 70,000 infant hospitalizations yearly. The rotavirus infection can range from being mild to severe in intensity. Symptoms usually begin with fever and vomiting. Watery diarrhea can also occur lasting an average of 5-6 days. Infant dehydration is a serious complication in severe cases of Rotovirus infection. Dehydration can even lead to infant death.
Cases of Rotovirus infection occur mainly in the winter time. Rotovirus infection is spread by direct contact with contaminated objects including the hands. Rotovirus remains on objects for a long time . Thinking of washing off those baby toys? Ordinary soap will not kill the virus and most disinfectants do not work against it. Babies by nature explore items with their mouths making the disease highly spread able and contagious in the infant population
The focus of Merck’s Rotateq vaccine is Rotovirus prevention in infants. I t is not a cure for infants who have already contracted the Rotovirus infection . Rotateq can be given to infants starting at 6 weeks of age. Unlike many other vaccines, Rotateq is not administered through an injection. This factor has a lot of parents smiling. The Rotateq vaccine is given in oral form, split into 3 doses. The first dosage is given when the infant is 6-12 weeks of age. The second dosage is given 4-10 weeks after the first dosage. The third and final dosage is given 4-10 weeks after the second dosage. The series of Rotateq dosages should be completed before the infant reaches 32 weeks of age. It is extremely important to keep all of your Rotateq vaccination appointments.
Parents are encouraged to discuss the Rotateq vaccine with their health care providers throughout the entire vaccination process. A thorough infant assessment and history should be taken to minimize vaccination reactions and side effects. before each dosage of Rotateq is given Parents should alert their health care providers if their infant has any illness with a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting before administration of the Rotateq vaccine. Infant blood disorders, cancers, weak immune systems including HIV, and gastrointestinal ailments will also contraindicate Rotateq administration. An allergic reaction post Rotateq dosage or an allergy to any Rotateq vaccine ingredients should be discussed with urgency. Allergic reactions to the vaccine include , but are not limited to, vomiting, diarrhea, sore throat, fever, runny nose, and ear infections. More serious complications include abdominal pain and bloody infant bowel movements. These conditions are serious and should be brought before your healthcare provider immediately.
There are many resources available for those seeking more information regarding the Rotateq vaccine. Perhaps the most valuable is a direct discussion with your health care provider.
