What is the Importance of the Rotavirus Vaccine?

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The rotavirus vaccine was created in 1998 in the United States, in order to combat a virus that causes violent diarrhea that was affecting and even leading to death mainly children up to five years of age worldwide.

The vaccine is made with live viruses that will fight gastroenteritis, which is the main cause of rotavirus and should be applied through 2 doses orally. Currently, the Unified Health System (SUS) provides the rotavirus vaccine free of charge for children up to six months of age, with this group suffering the most serious complications when the virus is contracted. For the other age groups, it is only found in the private health network, in some cases the agreement itself provides the vaccine at no cost. Vaccination is recommended to avoid and ameliorate the symptoms developed by this virus, which in addition to severe diarrhea may be accompanied by vomiting and high fever. The feces are gelatinous or fatty, which can trigger severe abdominal pain, in addition to a lack of appetite and difficulty breathing.

The transmission of the disease is through the sharing of personal objects, toys and also in public environments, where the virus lodges. Another way of contracting the virus is through ingestion of  contaminated water and food and through contact with infected respiratory excretions that can be expelled through a simple sneeze.

What are the vaccine contraindications?

Rotavirus vaccine is contraindicated for children who are hypersensitive to any of its components, so it is recommended to observe reactions after the first dose. Side effects such as diarrhea, vomiting, runny nose, sore throat and even itching and red spots on the body are hypersensitivity reactions to some substance contained in the vaccine. In this case, the pediatrician must be informed so that the second dose is suspended. In the case of babies vomiting or spitting after ingesting the vaccine, the dose should not be repeated. The drug offers rapid absorption of the organism, not requiring a new dosage, remembering that the vaccine should not be used by children outside the indicated age range.

It is also not recommended to apply the rotavirus vaccine to children using immunosuppressive drugs , such as treatment with corticosteroids or chemotherapeutic agents. For babies born with malformations in the digestive tract, intestinal invagination or presenting chronic gastrointestinal disease, it is also not recommended, and should be suspended and accompanied by a pediatrician.

A very important fact and that every mother must be a science, is that every child up to 5 years of age at least once will contract the rotavirus virus , presenting the symptoms even if vaccinated, obviously due to the immunity of the vaccine the symptoms will be milder. As it is a viral disease, unfortunately even with all the care, contagion is inevitable. In the case of diarrhea and severe vomiting, a doctor should be sought immediately.

See also:  Rotavirus – What is it?

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My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.

Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.

Dr. Alexis Hart

My name is Dr. Alexis Hart I am 38 years old, I am the mother of 3 beautiful children! Different ages, different phases 16 years, 12 years and 7 years. In love with motherhood since always, I found it difficult to make my dreams come true, and also some more after I was already a mother.Since I imagined myself as a mother, in my thoughts everything seemed to be much easier and simpler than it really was, I expected to get pregnant as soon as I wished, but it wasn’t that simple. The first pregnancy was smooth, but my daughter’s birth was very troubled. Joana was born in 2002 with a weight of 2930kg and 45cm, from a very peaceful cesarean delivery but she had already been born with congenital pneumonia due to a broken bag not treated with antibiotics even before delivery.

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