The live attenuated vaccine against human rotavirus, sold commercially as RRV-TV, Rotarix or RotaTeq, is used to protect children from gastroenteritis, which causes diarrhea and vomiting caused by rotavirus infection.
This vaccine is used to prevent rotavirus infections because when the child receives the vaccine, his or her immune system is stimulated to produce antibodies against the most common types of rotavirus. These antibodies will protect the body from future infections, but are not 100% effective, although they are very useful for reducing the intensity of symptoms, which ends up being of great help as rotavirus causes severe diarrhea and vomiting.
- The rotavirus vaccine is given to prevent rotavirus infection.
- Which is a virus in the Family Reoviridae and causes severe diarrhea mainly in children between 6 months and 2 years of age.
Prevention of rotavirus infection should be carried out according to the guidelines of the pediatrician, otherwise the baby’s life may be in danger, as in some cases diarrhea is so severe that it can lead to severe dehydration within a few hours. Rotavirus symptoms can last between 8 and 10 days and there may be severe diarrhoea, with a strong, acidic odor, that can redramb and sensitize the baby’s intimate area, as well as stomach pains, vomiting and high fever, usually between 39 and 40 degrees Celsius. Learn to recognize the symptoms of rotavirus infection.
The rotavirus vaccine is given orally, in gout form, and can be classified as monovalent when it contains only one type of attenuated rotavirus, or pentavalent, when it includes all five types of low-activity rotavirus.
The monovalent vaccine is usually given in two doses and the pentavalent vaccine in three, being indicated from the 6th week of life:
The monovalent vaccine is available free of charge in basic health units, while the pentavalent vaccine is only available at private immunization clinics.
Reactions to this vaccine are rare and, when they occur, are not serious, such as increased baby irritability, low fever and an isolated case of vomiting or diarrhea, as well as loss of appetite, fatigue and excess gas.
However, there are rare and serious reactions, such as frequent diarrhoea and vomiting, blood in the stool and high fever, in which case it is recommended to go to the pediatrician so that some type of treatment can be initiated.
This vaccine is for children whose immune system is weakened by diseases such as AIDS and for children allergic to one of the components of the formula.
Also, if your child has symptoms of fever or infection, diarrhea, vomiting, or stomach or bowel problems, you should talk to your doctor before starting vaccination.