ROTA VIRUS

assalamualaikum dan salam sejahtera kepada pembaca-pembaca blog saya yang setia mengikuti perkembangan blog tulisan saya. the last 2 weeks memang sangat menduga saya dan isteri. anak kami 2 minggu masuk hospital disebabkan jangkitan virus....jadi di sini saya ingin berkongsi perihal berkenaan Virus yang menjangkiti anak saya dan komplikasinya....


Rotavirus is a virus that infects the bowels. It is the most common cause of severe diarrhea among infants and children throughout the world and causes the death of about 600,000 children worldwide annually. The name rotavirus comes from the characteristic wheel-like appearance of the virus when viewed by electron microscopy (the name rotavirus is derived from the Latin rota, meaning "wheel").

Almost all children have become infected with rotavirus by their third birthday. Repeat infections with different viral strains are possible, and most children have several episodes of rotavirus infection in the first years of life. After several infections with different strains of the virus, children acquire immunity to rotavirus. Children between the ages of 6 and 24 months are at greatest risk for developing severe disease from rotavirus infection. Adults sometimes become infected, but the resulting illness is usually mild.

Each year in the U.S., rotavirus infection results in the hospitalization of an estimated 55,000 children, 200,000 emergency-room visits, and 400,000 visits to doctor's offices. It is estimated that 100 children die each year in the U.S. from complications of rotavirus infection. Rotavirus affects populations in all socioeconomic groups and is equally prevalent in industrialized and developing countries, so differences in sanitation practices or water supply are not likely to affect the incidence of the infection.

What are rotavirus symptoms?

The time period from initial infection to symptoms (incubation period) for rotavirus disease is around two days. Symptoms of the disease include fever, vomiting, and watery diarrhea. Abdominal pain may also occur, and infected children may have profuse watery diarrhea up to several times per day. Symptoms generally persist for three to nine days. Immunity from repeated infection is incomplete after a rotavirus infection, but repeated infections tend to be less severe than the original infection.

Rotavirus infection can be associated with severe dehydration in infants and children. Severe dehydration can lead to death in rare cases, so it is important to recognize and treat this complication of rotavirus infection. In addition to the symptoms of rotavirus infection discussed above, parents should be aware of the symptoms of dehydration that can occur with rotavirus infection or with other serious conditions.

How is rotavirus spread?

Rotavirus infection is highly contagious. The primary mode of transmission of rotavirus is the passage of the virus in stool to the mouth of another child. This is known as a fecal-oral route of transmission. Children can transmit the virus when they forget to wash their hands before eating or after using the toilet. Touching a surface that has been contaminated with rotavirus and then touching the mouth area can result in infection.

There also have been cases of low levels of rotavirus in respiratory-tract secretions and other body fluids. Because the virus is stable (remains infective) in the environment, transmission can occur through ingestion of contaminated water or food and contact with contaminated surfaces. Rotavirus can survive for days on hard and dry surfaces, and it can live for hours on human hands.

How is rotavirus treated?

There is no specific treatment for rotavirus. For people with healthy immune systems, rotavirus infection of the bowel (gastroenteritis) is a self-limited illness, lasting for only a few days. The treatment consists of increased fluid intake (oral rehydration) to prevent dehydration. About one in 40 children with rotavirus infection of the bowel requires hospitalization for intravenous fluid.


What is the outcome (prognosis) of rotavirus infection?

Rotavirus infection is a self-limited disease that resolves after three to nine days of symptoms. In rare cases, severe dehydration accompanying rotavirus infection has led to death. Recognition of the condition and proper supportive treatment (rehydration) can prevent serious complications.


How can rotavirus infection be prevented?

Because the virus is so prevalent, it is very difficult or even impossible to prevent rotavirus infection. Even places with excellent standards of hygiene and sanitation can become contaminated. Vaccination is the most effective preventive measure.

An older vaccine to prevent rotavirus was withdrawn due to adverse effects. In August 1998, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a live virus vaccine for use in children at ages 2, 4, and 6 months. However, this recommendation was withdrawn in October 1999 because the vaccine appeared to increase the risk of intussusception (the prolapse or telescoping of a portion of the intestine into the immediately adjacent portion of the intestine). The vaccine known as RotaShield was withdrawn from the market in 1999.

However, in February 2006, the FDA approved a new rotavirus vaccine. This vaccine RotaTeq™ is a live oral vaccine for use in children. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) voted to recommend a newly licensed vaccine to protect against rotavirus. Studies have shown that the vaccine prevents about 74% of all rotavirus cases, about 98% of severe rotavirus cases, and about 96% of hospitalizations due to rotavirus. Three doses of the rotavirus vaccine are recommended at 2, 4, and 6 months of age



itu sahajalah maklumat yang saya ingin kongsikan....demi kesihatan anak2....saya cadangkan sangat2 kepada kawan-kawan supaya melaburla sedikit...kerana pabila anak2 sakit...duit memang xda makna da selain daripada melihat anak2 membesar dengan sihat depan mata kita....kalau masuk hospital(swasta)coz nak yg the best for my kid..belanjanya agak besar kerana lebih kurang seminggu kena tahan wad (my bills is RM 2K plus)

renung-renungkan.....