Rotavirus
Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children, causing around half of all hospitalised cases of gastroenteritis in children less than 5 years of age
Children can be infected with a rotavirus several times during their lives. The spectrum of illness ranges from mild, watery diarrhoea of limited duration to severe, dehydrating diarrhoea with vomiting, fever, and shock.
The illness can begin abruptly with vomiting, often before the onset of diarrhoea. Up to one third of affected children have a temperature of >39ºC in the first few days of the illness. Symptoms generally resolve in 3 to 7 days. Confirmation of rotavirus infection can only be made by laboratory testing of faecal specimens.
Rotavirus is a vaccine preventable disease.
Vaccination recommended for routine childhood immunisation is listed on the National Immunisation Program Schedule (NIPS) and funded for children under the Immunise Australia Program.
Rotavirus vaccine
Information for GPs and immunisation providers about the new rotavirus vaccine is available at National Rotavirus Vaccination Program - Immunisation Provider Guidelines.Information for parents and guardians about the new rotavirus vaccination program is available at National Rotavirus Vaccination Program - Factsheet for Parents and Guardians.
Rotavirus Systematic Review
Rotavirus Systematic Review - April 2008Page last modified: 08 April, 2008