Understanding Rotavirus
and the Rotavirus Vaccine
Rotavirus is a highly contagious virus that can cause severe watery diarrhoea and vomiting in babies and young children. It can lead to dangerous dehydration and may require hospital care.
What exactly is rotavirus?
If you have heard the word “rotavirus” but are not sure what it means, here is what every parent should know.
Rotavirus is a virus
Rotavirus is a virus that mainly affects the digestive system of babies and young children. It is an important cause of severe diarrhoea in young children.
Why can it be dangerous?
Rotavirus can cause repeated watery diarrhoea and vomiting. A young child can lose water and important body salts quickly, resulting in dehydration. Severe dehydration can require hospital treatment.
What can rotavirus cause?
Rotavirus infection commonly causes digestive symptoms and can become serious when dehydration develops.
Rotavirus spreads easily
The virus is shed in stool and can spread when contaminated hands, objects or surfaces reach a child's mouth.
Virus leaves the body
An infected child can shed rotavirus in stool.
Hands or surfaces become contaminated
The virus can contaminate hands, objects and surfaces.
Virus reaches the mouth
A child may touch a contaminated object and then touch their mouth.
Infection occurs
The virus enters the digestive system and can cause illness.
⚠️ Why dehydration matters
Diarrhoea and vomiting can cause a young child to lose water and essential body salts quickly.
Seek medical attention if your child has signs such as:- Very little or no urine
- Unusual sleepiness or weakness
- Sunken eyes
- Difficulty drinking or drinking poorly
- Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea
- Signs of severe dehydration or worsening illness
The rotavirus vaccine helps protect against severe disease.
Rotavirus vaccines are given orally rather than by injection. They help reduce the risk of severe rotavirus diarrhoea and its complications in young children.
Vaccination does not prevent every cause of diarrhoea. It specifically provides protection against severe rotavirus disease.
Given as oral drops
The rotavirus vaccine is administered by mouth. Ask our healthcare team about the appropriate vaccination schedule for your child.
Benefits of rotavirus vaccination
Vaccination is an important part of protecting young children from severe rotavirus disease.
Helps prevent severe diarrhoea
Reduces the risk of severe rotavirus gastroenteritis.
Helps prevent dehydration
Reducing severe diarrhoea can reduce dangerous fluid loss.
Reduces severe illness
Helps lower the likelihood of serious rotavirus disease requiring medical care.
Protects young children
Provides important protection during early childhood.
Important facts for parents
Contact our healthcare team to enquire about vaccination for your child.
Rotavirus vaccine FAQs
Simple answers to common questions parents may have.
Is rotavirus the same as ordinary diarrhoea?
Is rotavirus contagious?
Is the rotavirus vaccine an injection?
Can the vaccine prevent every case of diarrhoea?
When should my child receive the vaccine?
Where can I get the rotavirus vaccine?
Is your child due for vaccination?
Talk to our healthcare team about rotavirus vaccination and your child's immunization needs.
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