Rotavirus
Rotavirus infection is the leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in young children globally.
It often occurs in epidemics, affecting mainly children under 2 years of age.
Although, older age groups can also be affected.
In the NT, 90% of the known rotavirus cases are in children under the age of 5 years.
How it spreads
Spread occurs when people put their hands, objects (such as toys), food or water contaminated by faeces or vomit into their mouth.
It can occur quickly in families, childcare centres and other places where young children who are not toilet trained are gathered together.
Who is at risk
Very young children are the ones most at risk of severe disease and may need to be admitted to hospital.
Symptoms
Rotavirus infection can range from being a mild to a very severe illness.
The main symptoms are fever, vomiting and watery diarrhoea which can lead to dehydration and rapid weight loss.
Symptoms start suddenly, between one to 3 days after being infected and usually last 4 to 6 days.
Infectious period
Infected people can pass the virus onto others and can continue to for several days after the diarrhoea has stopped.
Most people are no longer infectious after 8 days.
Treatment
There is no medication that specifically treats rotavirus.
Treatment mainly focuses on preventing and treating dehydration caused by vomiting or diarrhoea.
To avoid dehydration, anyone with vomiting or diarrhoea should drink extra fluids.
Rehydration therapy with oral glucose / electrolyte solution is particularly effective.
If children refuse this solution, diluted fruit juice may be given (1 part juice to 4 parts water).
Babies should continue to be offered their normal feeds plus extra fluids in between feeds.
Medicines to prevent vomiting or diarrhoea should not be given, especially to children, except when prescribed by a doctor.
When to see a doctor
Children who refuse extra fluids should see a doctor.
Additionally, anyone with the following should also see a doctor:
- prolonged (>3 days) or severe diarrhoea
- blood in their stools
- people concerned about their symptoms.
Control measures
The spread of rotavirus infection can be reduced by:
- thorough hand washing especially after using the toilet, changing nappies or handling soiled items and before handling food and drinks
- not letting the runny poo escape from a nappy (disposable nappies with elastic around the legs may work better for this), careful nappy disposal and cleaning of nappy change areas
- never change nappies on tables or counters where food is prepared or eaten
- clean books, toys, equipment, furnishings, floors and toilets regularly (including toilet door handles) using a chlorine based solution.
Anyone with diarrhoea should not:
- prepare or handle food for others
- attend work, school or childcare for at least 24 hours after the diarrhoea has ceased
- swim, wade or paddle in public pools.
Prevention
The rotavirus vaccine is:
- 70% effective in preventing any rotavirus gastroenteritis
- 85% to 100% effective in preventing severe rotavirus gastroenteritis.
Rotarix® is the vaccine used in the NT, given as an oral vaccine (by the mouth) at 6 weeks and again at 4 months of age.
It is important that babies receive both doses on time as the doses cannot be given after a certain age.
Children who may have already had rotavirus should still get the vaccine as having the disease only provides partial protection.
Following vaccination, the virus can be found in the faeces of a baby for a week or even longer.
It is not known if contact with the vaccinederived virus could result in another person becoming infected.
There is also another vaccine used elsewhere in Australia that requires 3 doses.
Exclusively breastfeeding in the first six months of life has also been shown to reduce the risk of rotavirus.
Side effects
Side effects following Rotarix® vaccination are rare. Investigations have shown there is a slightly increased risk of intussusception (a bowel condition).
Intussusception is rare and the risks of rotavirus infection outweigh the risks of an adverse event from vaccination.
Babies who have had an episode of intussusception or who are born with a bowel condition e.g. Meckel’s diverticulum should not receive the vaccine.
Information for health professionals
To find out more, go to the NT Health website.
Contact
For more information, contact your nearest Centre for Disease Control on the NT Health website.