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Ed Yeates ReportingThis time of year, a lot of kids come in to the doc's office with illnesses, but Rotovirus is hitting especially hard, and where it hits our system is extremely uncomfortable.
That nasty bug called Rotovirus is coming on strong in Utah. One of the state's largest pediatric clinics says it's seeing up to 10 kids per day with symptoms, and it's not just kids!
Because of the nature of Rotovirus and how it can play havoc with your system, you have to frequently wash your hands to try to keep from getting it.
"And we're talking ten episodes of vomiting a day and ten episodes of diarrhea a day."
Small children can end up hospitalized with dehydration. Even when adults get it, like pediatrician Peter Silas, it's serious.
Peter Silas, M.D., Pediatrician, Wee Care Pediatric Clinic: "I had a fever of 103 and was wiped out like for two days. So it's not a pleasant illness. And if you can imagine an adult making yourself that sick, it can be even more severe in a child and can last a long time - seven to ten days."
Two-year old Ty Solomon was in for treatment today. He started with a stomach ache Saturday morning.
Lacey Solomon, Ty's Mom: "By three o'clock Saturday, he started throwing up. Just a couple of times he threw up. But then after that, he's just had really bad diarrhea. I mean everything just runs through him."
Peter Silas, M.D.: "Based on how things are going right now, it looks like it's going to be a high season, and we haven't even reached December yet."
This season, for the first time, the Centers for Disease Control is recommending an FDA approved Rotovirus vaccine, which is given in a series of three doses.
The first dose must be given when the infant is two months old, followed by the second at four months, and the third at six months of age. All doses are by mouth.
Peter Silas, M.D.: "It's virtually 100 percent in preventing Rotavirus visits to the hospital. It's 80 percent effective in preventing any Rotovirus at all."
You can get Rotovirus by handling a sick child or by touching an object a sick person has recently come in contact with, so keep washing your hands.
