Rotavirus

[guestmama9908]

We went to playgroup. One of the other little boys came down with Rota the day after. His mom called all of us to let us know.

DS has now had quite a few bright green stinky loose stools. TMI sorry.

I called the Pedi's office and they said "Yep, sounds like Rota." and they want to do a stool culture and all of this other stuff. No thanks I think we will stay hydrated and stick with some probiotics at home. (Any other ideas for home treatment are welcome!)

Now my MIL is having a fit because DS has Rota and is demanding to know why he wasn't vaccinated for it and is having a fit demanding I take DD who is 4 months in for a Rotateq vax today. That is NOT gonna happen. Since DS is 2 years old Rotateq wasn't even being used when he was little was it?

I wouldn't have gotten it for him even if it was I am just curious so I can tell MIL that to get her off my back. :-)

[jeanine123]

Nope it wasn't. Rototeq just came out last year and Rotashield was pulled 8 years ago because it was causing intususseption in babies (basically their intestines were scrunching up onto itself). Oh....Rototeq has been doing the same thing too they're now saying. :

[LongIsland]

Originally Posted by CalenandEllasmomma

Since DS is 2 years old Rotateq wasn't even being used when he was little was it?

No, it was just licensed in August 2006.

Just tell her the FDA issued a notice to parents and healthcare providers about the vaccine last week because they were getting reports of infants' intestines collapsing and that you wouldn't be surprised if they pulled this vaccine off the market just like they did with the previous vaccine.

Then ask her what's better - her grandchild getting intussusception and surgery at four months of age or some diarrhea and vomitting.

That should shut her up.

[guestmama9908]

Thanks for that. I knew about the warning on Rotateq. SCARY!

[guestmama9908]

Originally Posted by LongIsland

Then ask her what's better - her grandchild getting intussusception and surgery at four months of age or some diarrhea and vomitting.

That should shut her up.

You took the words right out of my mouth LI.

[LongIsland]

Originally Posted by CalenandEllasmomma

You took the words right out of my mouth LI.

One more thing to tell her: I was reading the information sheet they give parents at the doctor's office and it said that a rotavirus vaxed child is MORE likely to get diarrhea and vomitting after EACH dose than an unvaxed child because it's a live vaccine.

[guestmama9908]

Thank you! Such great ammunition

[crittersmom]

I didn't know the new vax is just as dangerous as the last.I've just been telling people I wouldn't allow it because the reactions are the same as getting rota itself.

[LongIsland]

Originally Posted by crittersmom

I didn't know the new vax is just as dangerous as the last.

Oh, no . . . this vaccine is different. They've had more intussusception cases in the same time period, but there's everything is going as expected: http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=615676

[taterbug1999]

Just for informations sake, my kids and I and half my extended family just passed Rota around here for about a week or two from start to finish. It sucks, my kids were pretty sick for the first couple days of it then it mellowed and finally ended (took about a week total). I just got stomach cramps and nausea I think cause I take so many probiotics. Just tell MIL you will ride it out and stay hydrated and that vaxing your dd right now would do nothing for her- except maybe some lovely side effects. (Or tell her to p*ss off - which would be my choice ) Odds are dd is probably gonna get it though its really contagious. If she is still BF it will help my ds nursed alot and I think thats what made his a little easier than his sissy's bout. Good luck hope you're all better soon!

[shanagirl]

I recently saw my beloved pediatrician quoted in a health blog in our (Chicago) newspaper -- he does not recommend the new rotavirus vaccine. He said it was actually developed for children in impoverished countries, where rotavirus can be deadly, but the cost is so prohibitive they'll never see it. Here's a quote: "as it is now, virtually all children are exposed to rotavirus and develop immunity by age 5. That immunity is boosted by repeated asymptomatic exposure throughout life."

Try this link, I think I copied it correctly: http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.....html#comments

[guestmama9908]

Thanks for the responses.

DD is still breastfed so I am hoping she will get a lighter case of it. DS is weaned from the breast but I still give him EBM. He seems to be having a pretty mild case of it himself. He is having frequent loose green stinky stools but no vomiting.

I told my MIL to essentially take her advice and a quarter to call someone who cares . I think she will continue to carry on though. She even asked if she could come and watch Calen so I could take Ella in to get the vax. I declined her kind offer.

That is a great article about the vaccine!

[lastrid]

Tell her your daughter is too old to start the series. The first dose is not supposed to be administered after 12 weeks of age.