Naomi,
You can check the archives for my letter to the editor of a local paper ref
rotavirus and rotashield vaccine. BTW the vaccine is made
by Wyeth.
Anyway its the most common cause of childhood vomiting and diarrhea,
virtually all are infected by age 4. In the USA 500,000 office visits
a year for this and 50,000 admissions. Just on avg 1:78 children needs IV
fluids b/c of rotavirus at some time in their
life.
As for breastfeeding, at least two factors sIgA and lactadherin have been
shown to be
protective.
Many infectious disease experts will state the protectiveness of
breastfeeding is not reliable. However I know at least two peds
ID specialist who feel breastfed babies are not at high risk for severe
rotavirus infection. These two docs also do a lot of
general pediatrics. I personally do not see breastfeeding babies gdetting
severe gastroenteritis.
-Rob

Rob Cordes, DO, FAAP, FACOP
Wilkes Barre, PA
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