When the topic of rotavirus infection comes up, many parents and the public might immediately think: "Babies will have diarrhoea and vomiting and feel unwell!" However, the health threat posed by rotavirus to infants and young children may extend beyond this.
Infants and toddlers aged between 6 and 24 months are at the peak age for rotavirus infection. This type of virus is mainly transmitted via the faecal-oral route. Infection occurs when a child comes into contact with food or objects contaminated with the virus, which then enters the body through the mouth. Infected individuals will experience symptoms such as fever, persistent vomiting, and diarrhoea.
A survey has found that approximately 30% of children admitted to hospital for gastroenteritis were infected with rotavirus. Some parents may think that as vomiting and diarrhoea are common occurrences in babies, allowing them to rest for a while will see them gradually recover.However, the persistent vomiting and diarrhoea caused by a rotavirus infection can last for over a week. If not properly managed, patients may even experience dehydration and cramps; the condition is generally more severe than ordinary paediatric gastroenteritis.
Just imagine: when a baby under one year old vomits and has diarrhoea six to seven times a day, the proportion of fluid lost may amount to as much as 5% or even more of the child’s total body fluid. If not treated promptly, this can lead to serious complications such as shock.
Every winter (roughly November to February) is a high-risk period for infants and young children to be infected with rotavirus. Parents should be vigilant and, following their doctor's advice, take various preventative measures for their babies, including maintaining household hygiene and arranging for newborns to receive the rotavirus vaccine from six weeks of age.
