- The rotavirus is a common infection found in children. Once a child is infected, the virus can cause severe diarrhea and in some cases can result in hospitalization due to dehydration. The virus is commonly spread through contact with other infected children by hand-to-mouth contact with feces. Though the virus spreads easily, there is a vaccine to help protect children against infection. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this vaccination will help prevent 74 percent of infections.
- The most common vaccine for the rotavirus is called Rotarix. Rotarix contains a weakened form of the virus that causes the infection. The vaccine is given by mouth twice over a period of 4 weeks. It is recommended to vaccinate children for the virus at 2 months of age, but it can be given any time between 2 months and 6 months.
- Rotarix contains a weak enough form of the virus that it cannot cause the disease to occur. However, it is enough of a presence that it activates the body's immune system response. Once the first dose has been administered, the body's immune system starts creating antibodies against the disease. Antibodies are like memory cells in that they remember the virus and the best ways to kill it before it can cause the disease. Once the antibodies have been created, they remain in the body indefinitely. Once the child comes in contact with the full version of the virus, the antibodies are already created and quickly fight off the disease before it can cause infection.
