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Update Date: 2008/12/04 17:47
Reporter: Jiang Wenyi / Taipei Report
As autumn transitions into winter, the rotavirus becomes active again, especially in kindergartens where children gather, increasing the likelihood of gastrointestinal symptoms caused by the rotavirus. When a 3-year-old girl named Bi Bi suffered from rotavirus and experienced diarrhea 20 times a day, her mother recalled feeling heartbroken but could only provide supportive therapy to replenish electrolytes and prevent dehydration. It wasn't until Bi Bi's younger sister was born that she quickly got vaccinated.
Dr. Lu Junyi from the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Department at National Taiwan University Hospital stated that the peak period for gastrointestinal outbreaks in kindergartens often occurs during the transition from autumn to winter, which is also when the rotavirus is most active. Additionally, as the weather gets colder in winter, children tend to gather indoors, increasing the chances of viral transmission. Surveys have also found that younger children, especially those sitting at the same table or sleeping next to each other during naps, are more susceptible to infection.
The younger the child, the more severe the illness can be. Faced with the distressing sight of their children vomiting and having diarrhea, parents often feel helpless and can only rely on supportive therapy. Doctors also encourage parents to consider vaccinating their children at an appropriate time to reduce the likelihood of infection or severe symptoms.
A recent study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine indicated a decrease in rotavirus infections in the U.S. and a delay in the onset of the virus. Data from November 2007 to March 2008 showed a 78% reduction in rotavirus cases compared to the average of the past seven years. Over the past 15 years, rotavirus infections typically began around mid-November, but in 2008, the infections did not appear until late February, suggesting a slowdown in the spread of the virus.
The study speculated that although the vaccination rate was not high, this change might be related to the herd immunity provided by the rotavirus vaccine. However, this is still a preliminary hypothesis, and domestic doctors believe that long-term follow-up studies are needed.
Currently, there are two types of rotavirus vaccines available on the market: a two-dose oral vaccine and a three-dose oral vaccine. For the two-dose vaccine, it is recommended to administer the doses when the baby is 2 months and 4 months old. The three-dose vaccine is administered at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, with all doses to be completed before the baby reaches 6 months.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 081204/ 17/ 1alk3. html
Can Rotavirus Vaccine Provide Herd Immunity? Doctors: Long-Term Follow-Up Studies Needed
Reporter: Jiang Wenyi / Taipei Report
As autumn transitions into winter, the rotavirus becomes active again, especially in kindergartens where children gather, increasing the likelihood of gastrointestinal symptoms caused by the rotavirus. When a 3-year-old girl named Bi Bi suffered from rotavirus and experienced diarrhea 20 times a day, her mother recalled feeling heartbroken but could only provide supportive therapy to replenish electrolytes and prevent dehydration. It wasn't until Bi Bi's younger sister was born that she quickly got vaccinated.
Dr. Lu Junyi from the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Department at National Taiwan University Hospital stated that the peak period for gastrointestinal outbreaks in kindergartens often occurs during the transition from autumn to winter, which is also when the rotavirus is most active. Additionally, as the weather gets colder in winter, children tend to gather indoors, increasing the chances of viral transmission. Surveys have also found that younger children, especially those sitting at the same table or sleeping next to each other during naps, are more susceptible to infection.
The younger the child, the more severe the illness can be. Faced with the distressing sight of their children vomiting and having diarrhea, parents often feel helpless and can only rely on supportive therapy. Doctors also encourage parents to consider vaccinating their children at an appropriate time to reduce the likelihood of infection or severe symptoms.
A recent study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine indicated a decrease in rotavirus infections in the U.S. and a delay in the onset of the virus. Data from November 2007 to March 2008 showed a 78% reduction in rotavirus cases compared to the average of the past seven years. Over the past 15 years, rotavirus infections typically began around mid-November, but in 2008, the infections did not appear until late February, suggesting a slowdown in the spread of the virus.
The study speculated that although the vaccination rate was not high, this change might be related to the herd immunity provided by the rotavirus vaccine. However, this is still a preliminary hypothesis, and domestic doctors believe that long-term follow-up studies are needed.
Currently, there are two types of rotavirus vaccines available on the market: a two-dose oral vaccine and a three-dose oral vaccine. For the two-dose vaccine, it is recommended to administer the doses when the baby is 2 months and 4 months old. The three-dose vaccine is administered at 2, 4, and 6 months of age, with all doses to be completed before the baby reaches 6 months.
Source: http:/ / tw. news. yahoo. com/ art……url/ d/ a/ 081204/ 17/ 1alk3. html