Rotavirus

Since Rotavirus Vaccine was initiated in 2006 in U.S., cases have fallen as much as 90%
Prior to Rotavirus Vaccine starting in 2006, was the most common cause of Acute Infectious Diarrhea in the U.S.
1. Accounted for 35% of child hospitalizations for Diarrhea
2. Hospitalizations: 55,000 to 70,000 per year in United States
3. Mortality: 20-60 deaths per year in United States
Worldwide Rotavirus still kills more than 400,000 children under age 5 years old
Peak ages affected: 6 months to 2 years old
1. Uncommon under age 6 months or over age 4 years
Infection peaks in March (mid-January to late May)

Rotavirus is in family Reoviridae (Reovirus)
1. Reoviridae (Reovirus) Family organisms are Double Stranded RNA Arboviruses (dsRNA)
  1. Reoviridae are the only dsRNA viruses known to be a human pathogen
2. Reoviridae are icosahedral, non-enveloped (naked) viruses
3. Many Reoviridae are Arboviruses (arthropod borne), but not Rotavirus (fecal-oral transmission)
Antibody to Rotavirus is protective
Self limited Infection
Transmission: Fecal-oral route
Incubation: 1-3 days

Careful Hand Washing
See Rotavirus Vaccine
1. Original RotaShield Vaccine was complicated by increased Intussusception risk
2. New Rotavirus Vaccines (Rotarix, RotaTeq) have minimal associated Intussusception risk
  1. Part of the primary Immunization series (at 2, 4, 6 months of age)