The more alarming fact however, is that the virus is everywhere, and while preventive measures can be conducted through frequent desensitization, this does not effectively reduce the incidence of rotavirus infections.
This was discussed recently during a special media luncheon sponsored by the Committee on the Control of Diarrheal Diseases of the Philippine Pediatric Society (PPS) at the Manila Diamond Hotel. Speakers were Dr. Joseph Bresee, a medical epidemiologist at the Viral Gastroenteritis Section at the National Center for Infectious Diseases of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, USA; Dr. Estrella Paje-Villar, chair of the PPS and professor at the Department of Pharmacology and the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Sto. Tomas, and Dr. Lulu Bravo, professor and chief of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Department of pediatrics of the University of the Philippines’ College of Medicine.
Studies presented during the forum showed that children between six to 24 months are at the highest risk of rotavirus infection.
According to Dr. Villar, the virus is transmitted through the stool of an infected person, which can cause the contamination of objects for several days.
The studies also show that 96 percent of infected children will suffer from vomiting while 77 percent will experience fever. Symptoms may last from three to nine days, and in severe cases, diarrhea can occur from 10-20 times per day which could dangerously last up to three weeks.
Because rotavirus can survive in the environment, transmission can occur through person-to-person spread, ingestion of contaminated water or food and contact with contaminated surfaces, such as toys. The virus can survive for hours on hands and for days on solid surfaces. It remains stable and infective in human feces for up to one week. Even through constant sanitation, there is still a big chance that the virus will spread.
"Washing hands alone cannot prevent rotavirus infection, and even a small amount of rotavirus particle is enough to infect the child," said Dr. Villar.
At present, there is no treatment for rotavirus infections. What is available is only symptom relief to help replenish lost fluids for babies suffering from diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration, mainly through oral re-hydration therapy.
"Vaccination is really the key," said Dr. Bravo.
At present, a new oral rotavirus vaccine is seen as the best defense against rotavirus gastroenteritis. It is a live attenuated vaccine developed from a single human strain designed to provide early protection before the onset of rotavirus illness as well as effective protection against multiple rotavirus strains. The new vaccine has shown up to 90 percent efficacy in protecting infants against severe infections.
Although the vaccine is noted for being expensive (costing almost the same as the six-in-one vaccine shot), Dr. Bravo explained that parents shouldn’t take this as the biggest obstacle for getting the vaccine for their children.
"The rotavirus infection can lead to the hospitalization of children, which as we know, can rack-up thousands in bills. Letting children have this one shot vaccine can actually help parents save not just money, but their children’s lives as well," she said.
