Ups and Downs: Rotavirus

After a wonderful week with my parents, brother, sis-in-law and niece, we have had a bit of a setback. My Googliagnosis (def’n: diagnosis made via extensive research at the university of Google) is rotavirus.

Both boys have been hit. They are just fine during the day and a big laundry-inducing mess at night. This is day 4 for Lil C and Day 1 for Lil D.

I feel lucky that the boys are old enough to understand what is going on and for their bodies to withstand the virus’ onslaught. I could see this would be devastating for an infant (and their parents). I was up till 4 am alternating between cleaning, comforting (though they seem to be less distressed than I am), and worrying.

Right now the boys are revelling in unmonitored and untimed cartoon watching.

I wish the rotavirus vaccine were recommended when these guys were babies. If you’re wondering why they didn’t get it before our trip, they are too old for it now.

The rotavirus vaccine is a liquid administered orally to infants. It became part of the Ontario vaccine schedule in May 2011.

Rotavirus kills 500,000 infants and young children per year worldwide, most in the developing world.

Since Saturday I have done at least ten loads of laundry with bleach. I have washed my hands hundreds of times and administered middle of the night showers a few times. The boys have been sipping filtered water all day long.

I cannot imagine trying to manage this without a good source of clean, safe, potable water.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation began a rotavirus immunization program in Nicaragua (among other countries) in 2006. We are currently living only a few hours from Nicaragua. This program has had a tremendous impact.

Here are two slide shows that show that impact:

Protecting Children from Rotavirus, One Vaccine at a Time

Tracing One Rotavirus Vaccine’s Winding Path through Nicaragua

I optimistically look forward to a better night tonight and finally a first day of school for Lil C tomorrow. This was Lil D’s first day yesterday… though there was no second day today.

First day in a uniform (need to get navy shorts)- mom likes it!

Lil C's sick day yesterday; he cried big tears when we told him he still isn't well enough to go to school today.

And something I find amusing:

The folder that Lil D's school gave him

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