White paper issued on rotavirus

The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases recently released a white paper summarizing a panel discussion of national pediatric  infectious disease experts on rotavirus.  The paper, which was  co-sponsored by US drug major Merck & Co, addresses the latest  scientific information available on rotavirus, including epidemiology,  classification, prevention and treatment of the disease.  In the midst  of the rotavirus season, this paper may serve as a valuable resource to  your readers.  For a free copy of the white paper, visit:  http://www.nfid.org/pdf/rotavirus_paper.pdf.

Rotavirus is a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in infants and  young children worldwide, infecting nearly all children by the age of 5.  The most severe cases occur among children 6 to 24 months of age, with  symptoms including fever, vomiting and watery diarrhea.  In serious  cases, repeated episodes of diarrhea or vomiting can lead to loss of  fluid and electrolytes, placing the child at risk for severe dehydration  and death.