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Medical Author:

John Mersch, MD, FAAP

John Mersch, MD, FAAP

Dr. Mersch received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, San Diego, and prior to entering the University Of Southern California School Of Medicine, was a graduate student (attaining PhD candidate status) in Experimental Pathology at USC. He attended internship and residency at Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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As previously noted, hand washing with soap and water, diaper-changing hygiene, and water-purification systems are all necessary to deal with an established rotavirus outbreak. A proactive vaccination program of infants against rotavirus disease has been advocated by the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics for several years. Two oral vaccination products are currently licensed for use in the United States. RotaTeq was approved by the FDA in 2006. Three doses are required at 2, 4, and 6 months of age. More recently, Rotarix has been approved by the FDA. Two doses are required at 2 and 4 months of age. Both formulations show excellent effectiveness in preventing severe rotavirus disease (over 95%) and protection against severity of disease requiring hospitalization (85%). Side effects occur in only 1.3% of those receiving the vaccines (mild vomiting and diarrhea). It is recommended that whenever possible, patients should receive the same vaccine product throughout their immunization series.

A rotavirus vaccination product (RotaShield) was licensed for use in 1998 but was rapidly removed from use when postmarketing studies demonstrated an increase in the frequency of intussusception (a form of intestinal obstruction) in vaccine recipients. No such relationship (or any other form of intestinal obstruction) has been demonstrated with either RotaTeq or Rotarix.

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