Roto Virus and we leave in 9 days--update

[hawkeyesparks]

I feel your pain. I hope everything is better before you head back to WDW!

 

[Tiger926]

Wow! You all are lucky that your kids perked up without IV - my daughter would not be here today if not for the IV as she was that sick. We are germ freaks - wash, hospital grade antibacterial gel, etc., and our daughter still got sick, so I wish you lots of luck in keeping your son healthy over the next little bit if he indeed has Rota.

Hugs to you and your family, Tiger

 

[GIGI&MIMI]

Our youngest had Roto last Dec. and again last month. She was hospitalized both times for dehydration (2/3 days of IV's) and we were in the ER within 5 hours of her first symtoms. Stay on top of it and WASH everything, hands/clothes, well.
Our hospital bills will easily surpass our vacation budget. It spreads rapidly and symtoms appear within 12-48 hrs. In fact it's the front page story of our local paper. Almost 75% of residents and 50% of the employees at a local care center contracted it within the last few weeks. The only way to prevent it spreading is to wash often. Good luck, it's a stressful time.

 

[mommy*RN]

I hope your DC is feeling much better and that you didn't get the virus too!

My DS had it when he was 18 mo old. It was horrible! DH and I both got it then!

Good news for the future though...I work in peds as a RN, and I can tell you there will soon (if not already) be a recommended vaccine available for babies to prevent the rotovirus. I don't know many of the particulars such as age and all that, but it will definitely help! I've even noticed a few Roto advertisements in my baby mags...which means the drug companies are gearing up to start advertising the vaccine...

Hope everyone is feeling better!

 

[sara74]

Was just about to post re the new vaccine myself! There was a vaccine a few years ago but it was pulled from the market as it had some bad side effects. That scared me, I was a participant in the vaccine development trials in college. Medical guinea pig for $.

The old vaccine was pulled before DD got it, so she had rotavirus at 11 months and needed IV rehydration. It really turned her around and she improved quickly with some fluids in her that couldn't come back out!

With #3 on the way, we are going to talk to the Ped about the vaccine. I vaccinate the kids against everything else and they are in daycare so I want them well protected against this too!

 

[pigget74]

Thank you for all the well wishes. We thought we were on the upside of this, but we had a very long night last night. His mood is a lot better and for an occasional whine you would not know he was still sick. Thanks again.

 

[kkevcamsmom]

I hope he's better soon!

My DS had it when he was 3 and it was terrible. BUT he bounced back quickly, even after three days in the hospital (he dehydrated very quickly!). It took him a total of 2 weeks to feel 100% again.

Make sure you keep the fluids flowing, maybe the magic of WDW will help speed the recovery.

Lori

 

[*KT*]

Was just about to post re the new vaccine myself! There was a vaccine a few years ago but it was pulled from the market as it had some bad side effects. That scared me, I was a participant in the vaccine development trials in college. Medical guinea pig for $.

The old vaccine was associated with a type of bowel obstruction called intussusception. It is a disorder that normally affects 1 in 3,000 infants in the first year of life.

With the Rotavirus vaccine, there was 1 excess case of intussusception per 32,000 vaccinated infants. Intussusception is a serious disorder that occurs when the intestine collapses in on itself like a retractable antenna. This cuts off its blood supply and can lead to perforation. On the other hand, few infants in the USA (50-60 each year) die from rotavirus because of easy access to IV fluids. Because Intussusception was deemed more dangerous than rotavirus (in the USA), the vaccine was withdrawn from the market.

Unfortunately, the rotavirus story is different in third world countries where 1,600 infants die EACH DAY from rotavirus dehydration! This is primarily due to lack of access to IV fluids.

The makers of the new rotavirus vaccine have tested it in 70,000 infants and found NO increase in the rates of intussusception. It won FDA approval, but has not yet been recommended by the CDC or AAP. They will probably recommend it by the end of the year.

Their recommendation is important to get insurance companies to pay for the vaccine. It's an expensive one--wholesale cost is $187.50 for the series of 3 doses.

Will this help reduce the number of deaths in third world countries? Only if someone will pay for it.

 

[ohioMickey]

The old vaccine was associated with a type of bowel obstruction called intussusception. It is a disorder that normally affects 1 in 3,000 infants in the first year of life.

OOOPS. My daughter was still logged in when I posted. She'll roll her eyes over this one for sure!

 

[pigget74]

Now on top of the rotovirus (which is getting better) we have a severe respiratory infection. He is know on a z pack, albuteral, and prednisone. For about 2 hours he is wired and then he crashes--then the cycle repeats. Send more dust as we leave in 4 days. Dr. said he should be better.

 

[Tiger926]

Yikes, your poor son. You really are going to have to take it easy while in WDW as your poor baby is very weak from his illnesses and the meds. Hopefully, there aren't too many viruses floating around either so he can at least enjoy the sunshine after this ordeal.

Hope you have a healthy and restful vacation, Tiger