It's hard to put into words the fear and anxiety you feel as a parent when your little one is constantly vomiting and having diarrhea. In the past, the main cause of these conditions, which used to put young children in a lot of trouble and sometimes even life-threatening, is rotavirus. But fortunately, today there is a vaccine that can protect our children from this dangerous virus. That's what we're talking about today.
What is this Rotavirus Vaccine?
Simply put, this is a vaccine given to our little ones. But it is not a shot that is injected with a needle, but rather a liquid medicine that is given by mouth . The main purpose of this is to protect the child from serious conditions caused by a virus called Rotavirus.
When this virus enters the body, children can develop high fever, persistent vomiting, and diarrhea (stomach ache). If this condition becomes severe, the child may become dehydrated and become very ill. So, this vaccine prevents such a serious condition from occurring. `(Rotarix)` is a well-known brand name for this vaccine.
Before getting vaccinated, you should definitely tell your doctor these things!
Before giving your baby this vaccine, the doctor will ask you about certain things. It is very important that you tell him this information accurately, without hiding anything, because it directly affects the baby's safety.
| Situation you need to report | Why is that important? |
|---|---|
| If the baby or anyone in the family has a weakened immune system | Because this is a vaccine containing live viruses (weakened), it may cause problems for people with weakened immune systems. |
| If the baby has cancer or is being treated for it | Vaccination is not advisable because cancer treatments weaken the immune system. |
| If the baby already has vomiting or diarrhea | It is best to wait until the child is completely recovered before giving the vaccine. |
| If you have had a previous bowel problem, especially intussusception | This is very important. The doctor should be aware that there is a very rare risk of this condition recurring due to this vaccine. |
| If the baby has growth problems | This helps the doctor get an accurate picture of the child's overall health. |
| If you have had an allergic reaction to other medications, latex, or preservatives. | This is important to prevent an allergy to something contained in the vaccine. |
How do you give this vaccine to a baby and what if you miss a dose?
This vaccine is given by a health professional . Usually, a doctor or trained nurse carefully puts the liquid into the baby's mouth at a clinic or hospital. It is not a medicine to take home.
This vaccine is usually given in two doses. The first dose can be given after 6 weeks. Your doctor will tell you exactly when to give the second dose.
The most important thing is, do not skip the dose on the scheduled date for any reason . Take your baby on the date listed on the vaccination card. It is essential to complete all the prescribed doses to ensure complete protection. If you miss a day, do not panic and call your doctor immediately to schedule a new date.
Things to be aware of and side effects after vaccination
As with any vaccine, you may notice some minor changes in your child after this one. Some of these are normal, but there are some things we need to be especially careful about.
| Side effect/symptom | What should you do? |
|---|---|
| Severe symptoms that require immediate medical attention | |
| Allergic reactions - skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue. | These are serious symptoms. Immediately take the person to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) . |
| Severe stomach aches, incessant crying, crying with legs pulled to chest. | This could be a symptom of the aforementioned Intussusception condition. Do not delay and take him to a doctor immediately. |
| Blood in stool or severe diarrhea. | Notify the doctor immediately. |
| Difficulty breathing. | Take him to the nearest ETU immediately. |
| Common symptoms that you shouldn't be afraid of | |
| The child is a little restless and irritable. | This is normal and will subside in a day or two. |
| Low-grade fever. | This is also normal. Paracetamol can be given on the advice of the doctor. If it lasts more than a few days, tell the doctor. |
A few other important points
- Can the virus be passed on to others? After the vaccine is given, a small amount of the weakened virus may remain in the baby's stool. Therefore, it is very important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after changing your baby's nappy. This is especially important if you have someone in your home who has a weakened immune system (e.g. someone with cancer).
- Other medications? If your child is taking any other medications (including vitamins and herbal remedies), tell your doctor before giving the vaccine. This vaccine may interact with steroids such as prednisone and immunosuppressants such as adalimumab and etanercept.
- What if you suspect you have taken too much medicine? Since this vaccine is given by a healthcare professional, the chance of an 'overdose', that is, receiving too much, is very low. However, if you suspect you have taken too much of any other medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
Take-Home Message
- The rotavirus vaccine is an oral liquid that protects children from severe vomiting and diarrhea.
- Before giving the vaccine, be sure to tell the doctor all of your child's health information (especially immune system and intestinal problems).
- It is essential to administer both doses of the vaccine at the correct time for complete protection.
- If you experience severe stomach pain, blood in your stool, or severe allergic symptoms, take your child to a hospital immediately.
- Minor side effects such as a low fever and irritability are common and will go away in a day or two.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after changing your baby's nappy to prevent spreading the virus to other family members.
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