Rotavirus concerns?

[bella99]

So my 2.5 year old seems to have Rotavirus.  Yesterday she was vomiting throughout the day, and had a low grade fever.  Today the low grade fever has continued, she's vomited once, and the diarrhea has begun, so we're pretty sure that's what we are looking at.

I also have an 11.5 week old, EBF.  Everything that I have read says that I don't need to be too concerned about her getting it, but has anyone on here ever had an infant this young get it and how did they do?

(On a side note, we have a slight suspicion that she may have already had it but was asymptomatic.  Three days ago, no gastrointestinal problems, but she was very fussy and had a low grade fever throughout the day).

[sosurreal09]

Oh mama my DD (who was fully vaxed for it) got rotovirus 3 friggin times before she was 9 m/o!

All they told me to do was keep her hydrated and I did. She did lose weight and then they tried to make me FF but I refused. Hang in there I know how hard it is to see your LO like this. IDK if you are still BFing your 2.5 y/o, but I would nurse her lots or express milk for her.

[sosurreal09]

oh and chamomile helps tummy problems too

[OpenMama]

Oh no!  I'm so sorry.  Rotavirus can be really serious, especially in young babies.  Definitely no fun.  There are a lot of other intestinal bugs going around right now - so it could be anything.  Rotavirus usually lasts more than a week and is very yucky.  I wouldn't worry about the LO that much.  At this point, she's had at least one of her rotavirus  vaccines and from what I've read and what my doctor told me, it's one of the most effective.  Even after one dose, most babies are immune.  It certainly would be awful for your newborn to get rota, so at least thank goodness she's old enough to be protected.  In your older one, watch for dehydration and be sure to use as much oral rehydration as possible with things like Pedialyte or Gatorade.  Best to you all.

[Parker'smommy]

Originally Posted by OpenMama 

   At this point, she's had at least one of her rotavirus  vaccines and from what I've read and what my doctor told me, it's one of the most effective.  Even after one dose, most babies are immune.  It certainly would be awful for your newborn to get rota, so at least thank goodness she's old enough to be protected.  

Depends on the doctor and if this mama even vaccinates, which isn't the norm around MDC. They start the RotaVirus vaccine at 12 weeks/-4 month appt. here in California. The OP's infant is just 11 weeks. 

OP- nursing is the best thing for your little one.  You are making antibodies for her and keeping her hydrated. Good luck!

[bella99]

So here's an update.

We are on day 6 and it's the first day without vomiting and diarrhea...yay!  My girl is finally off the couch and playing again (and talking back :)).

As for the baby, she has not been vaccinated.  My girls see a family practitioner rather than a pediatrician and the office doesn't even offer the vaccine, so I didn't even think to ask, for either of my girls.  I talked to the doctor two days ago and he said he didn't really see the point in giving the vaccine although he would support it if we made the decision.

The baby did have a low grade fever two days ago and was pretty fussy for a day so she obviously got something, but today she has seemed to be back to herself.

[OpenMama]

Weird!  I live in California too, and my son had his first rota dose at his 2-month appt (he was 9 weeks old.)  I just checked the CDC and AAP websites, and they recommend starting the vaccine at 8 weeks.

OP - hope your little one remains healthy!

[sosurreal09]

Originally Posted by OpenMama 

Oh no!  I'm so sorry.  Rotavirus can be really serious, especially in young babies.  Definitely no fun.  There are a lot of other intestinal bugs going around right now - so it could be anything.  Rotavirus usually lasts more than a week and is very yucky.  I wouldn't worry about the LO that much.  At this point, she's had at least one of her rotavirus  vaccines and from what I've read and what my doctor told me, it's one of the most effective.  Even after one dose, most babies are immune.  It certainly would be awful for your newborn to get rota, so at least thank goodness she's old enough to be protected.  In your older one, watch for dehydration and be sure to use as much oral rehydration as possible with things like Pedialyte or Gatorade.  Best to you all.

My DD got 3 rotovirus vaxes and she got it 3x before she was 9 m/o I'm sorry but I don't see a point in the vax since it did nothing for my DD...

She already had one dose before she got it the first time...

[OpenMama]

I am so sorry to hear that!  Are you sure it was rotavirus she got, and not something else?  They have to run a stool test.  Of course, even the most effective vaccines aren't 100% effective in every single recipient.  If your daughter tested positive three times, she might just be one of the few unlucky ones!  From what I've read and heard, the vaccine is very effective but not 100%.  What a bummer for you and your dd : (

[sosurreal09]

Yes she was tested each time. It was horrific.

[1stTimeMama4-4-10]

Originally Posted by OpenMama 

Weird!  I live in California too, and my son had his first rota dose at his 2-month appt (he was 9 weeks old.)  I just checked the CDC and AAP websites, and they recommend starting the vaccine at 8 weeks.

OP - hope your little one remains healthy!

My ped didn't even offer it to us because the rotavirus vax was pulled from the market for very common, very serious side effects.  I would take my chances with the illness since dehydration is the biggest danger and that particular issue is very rare in breastfed babies - not to downplay the risk, I know it's awful to have rotavirus, but imo, I would rather take the risk of nursing my child through an illness than vaxxing her when the vaccine is neither effective nor safe. 

[Midwesterner04]

Originally Posted by 1stTimeMama4-4-10 

My ped didn't even offer it to us because the rotavirus vax was pulled from the market for very common, very serious side effects.  I would take my chances with the illness since dehydration is the biggest danger and that particular issue is very rare in breastfed babies - not to downplay the risk, I know it's awful to have rotavirus, but imo, I would rather take the risk of nursing my child through an illness than vaxxing her when the vaccine is neither effective nor safe. 

.  A ped in my family who specializes in infectious disease and is generally very pro-vax sent us a bunch of articles and cautionary tales to urge us *against* the rota vaccine.

Our experience with rotavirus:

We got rotavirus when my DD was about 4.5 months old after a WBV at the pediatrician's office, possibly from recently vaccinated kids. DD vomited 4 times in 2 days and had about 6 dirty diapers with the horrid, foul rota smell the first day, 4 the second day, and 2 the third day. She had a low-grade fever off and on for about 48 hours, though sponging and nursing helped a great deal. Her temp would actually come down within minutes of latching on--another reason nursing is great! During the first day she mostly wanted to be carried and snuggled, but she was able to play the next day, though she still was sick. The thing she seemed to dislike the most was that I got pretty ill and was a lot less fun than usual. I got bruises under my ribs from the force of the vomiting and I couldn't eat for about 5 days. I slowly sipped electrolyte drinks and Mother's Milk Tea to keep up my milk supply, which thankfully did not tank. My DH had had rotavirus at 9 months old and didn't really get sick when DD and I did. I think I'd have preferred to have had rota early in life, too!

[Midwesterner04]

I had planned to add that I don't mean to downplay the potential seriousness or certain unpleasantness of rotavirus, and that I absolutely feel for those dealing with it. I just don't believe that the vaccine is a zero-risk, fool-proof cure-all. :-)

[OpenMama]

Originally Posted by 1stTimeMama4-4-10 

My ped didn't even offer it to us because the rotavirus vax was pulled from the market for very common, very serious side effects.  I would take my chances with the illness since dehydration is the biggest danger and that particular issue is very rare in breastfed babies - not to downplay the risk, I know it's awful to have rotavirus, but imo, I would rather take the risk of nursing my child through an illness than vaxxing her when the vaccine is neither effective nor safe. 

I think you are talking about a previous rotavirus vaccine - not the one that is currently available.  Here's an abstract of a study that looked at the effectiveness of the current vaccine:

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/125/2/e199

and here is information about complications associated with the current vaccine, specifically intussusception, which is not correlated with RotaTeq

http://www.cdc.gov/vaccinesafety/Vaccines/rotateq_intussusception.html

Do you have anything I can look at that shows the current vaccine isn't safe or effective?  I'm interested!

HTH 

[Midwesterner04]

Rotarix was just recalled last year. That is recent enough to be relevant to many of us who have babies and young toddlers now. I followed the Rotarix events (intussusception and contamination) through medical journal databases and the websites of the AAP, FDA, and CDC, among others.  There also is research connecting Rotateq to similar risks.

[OpenMama]

Originally Posted by Midwesterner04 

Rotarix was just recalled last year. That is recent enough to be relevant to many of us who have babies and young toddlers now. I followed the Rotarix events (intussusception and contamination) through medical journal databases and the websites of the AAP, FDA, and CDC, among others.  There also is research connecting Rotateq to similar risks.

Oh, I see.  Do you perchance have that information?  I'm interested in any research that says the vaccine is more dangerous than getting rotavirus and/or that the vaccine is not effective.  My pediatrician said he's seen up to a 90% decrease in rotavirus cases since the advent of the vaccine - but that just might be him.  I checked the FDA and AAP and CDC websites that you mentioned, and they all seem to strongly recommend the current rotavirus vaccine???  Doing research on the internet is so frustrating LOL!

[karne]

Just a cautionary note-rota can go downhill very quickly.  My ds got it when he was 12 weeks, and had to be hospitilized for severe dehydration, which caused heart rhythm changes.  It was very serious, and it happened before our eyes.

True rota must be dx. by lab testing.  There are lots of stomach bugs, and folks often think their kids have it, but rota is one that has a specific test.  It seems like many kids are fine with just minor discomfort, but for those for whom the illness is more severe, it's worth it to really know the signs/symptoms of dehydration and not hesitate to take your baby to the ER if you are worried.  My LO did OK after several days in the hospital with IV fluids and heart monitoring, but I wouldn't wish it on any other baby.

[1stTimeMama4-4-10]

Quote:

Originally Posted by OpenMama 

Oh, I see.  Do you perchance have that information?  I'm interested in any research that says the vaccine is more dangerous than getting rotavirus and/or that the vaccine is not effective.  My pediatrician said he's seen up to a 90% decrease in rotavirus cases since the advent of the vaccine - but that just might be him.  I checked the FDA and AAP and CDC websites that you mentioned, and they all seem to strongly recommend the current rotavirus vaccine???  Doing research on the internet is so frustrating LOL!

Well that's the thing about deciding whether to vax - there are very good arguments on both sides with compelling reasons supporting each.  There are no clear cut answers and so for me, it comes down to my mama instincts.  I feel that vaccines are unnatural and dangerous and that much like antibiotics, can be livesaving when used properly, but that our society overuses and misuses them.  To me, the fact that the new rota vaccine has not yet been recalled doesn't make me feel any safer about giving it to my child. The old one was recalled very recently and while I understand that the CDC says that the new one is perfectly safe, I have no intention of using my daughter as a lab rat to test it out.  I would not judge a mother who came to a different decision because as PP noted, rotavirus can be very serious.  

For us, DD is breastfed and not in daycare, and therefore both her risk of contracting an illness is reduced, and her ability to fight it off is increased.  If we weren't breastfeeding or if she was in daycare, I think we would have come to a different decision. In all likelihood she will be vaxxed for most things by the time she is school age, but for now, we have decided to forego all vaccines until she is at least 2.     
 

[Bokonon]

Originally Posted by OpenMama 

Oh, I see.  Do you perchance have that information?  I'm interested in any research that says the vaccine is more dangerous than getting rotavirus and/or that the vaccine is not effective.  My pediatrician said he's seen up to a 90% decrease in rotavirus cases since the advent of the vaccine - but that just might be him.  I checked the FDA and AAP and CDC websites that you mentioned, and they all seem to strongly recommend the current rotavirus vaccine???  Doing research on the internet is so frustrating LOL!

http://insidevaccines.com/wordpress/2008/02/04/rotavirus-death-by-diarrhea/
 

[Midwesterner04]

Originally Posted by karne 

...There are lots of stomach bugs, and folks often think their kids have it, but rota is one that has a specific test.  It seems like many kids are fine with just minor discomfort, but for those for whom the illness is more severe, it's worth it to really know the signs/symptoms of dehydration and not hesitate to take your baby to the ER if you are worried...

I wholeheartedly agree.