Laser Focus World is an industry bedrock—first published in 1965 and still going strong. We publish original articles about cutting-edge advances in lasers, optics, photonics, sensors, and quantum technologies, as well as test and measurement, and the shift currently underway to usher in the photonic integrated circuits, optical interconnects, and copackaged electronics and photonics to deliver the speed and efficiency essential for data centers of the future.

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Editorial Advisory Board

  • Professor Andrea M. Armani, University of Southern California
  • Ruti Ben-Shlomi, Ph.D., LightSolver
  • James Butler, Ph.D., Hamamatsu
  • Natalie Fardian-Melamed, Ph.D., Columbia University
  • Justin Sigley, Ph.D., AmeriCOM
  • Professor Birgit Stiller, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, and Leibniz University of Hannover
  • Professor Stephen Sweeney, University of Glasgow
  • Mohan Wang, Ph.D., University of Oxford
  • Professor Xuchen Wang, Harbin Engineering University
  • Professor Stefan Witte, Delft University of Technology

How You Can Help Protect Your Baby Against Rotavirus

(BPT) - If you are a parent, you may have heard about rotavirus - an easily spread disease that can pose a serious risk to infants and young children. Symptoms can include mild to severe diarrhea, vomiting and fever. In rare, severe cases, children can experience up to 20 episodes of diarrhea a day, potentially leading to dehydration that may require hospitalization and can be life-threatening. Rotavirus usually spreads through the fecal-oral route, which means it can be passed from one person to another by touching contaminated hands or objects. The virus can survive on surfaces for a considerable amount of time, sometimes even for weeks or months.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends routine vaccination of infants with rotavirus vaccine. However, about 1 out of 4 children have not been vaccinated. This potentially leaves them at an increased risk of contracting this highly contagious disease. Before the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine, the virus was responsible for more than 400,000 doctor visits, more than 200,000 emergency room visits and up to 70,000 hospitalizations each year among children under five in the United States.


Woman holding a baby while doctor listens to baby's heart with a stethoscope.

Sue, a mother of three whose children are now grown, remembers when her youngest was hospitalized with rotavirus as a young child. "As a mom, it was hard and concerning to go through this experience with my daughter. Now that we have more options to help with prevention, I urge parents to have open conversations with their pediatricians about how to help protect their children from potentially serious infectious diseases, such as rotavirus," she said.

Dr. Edwyn Carter, a seasoned pediatrician with over 30 years of experience, emphasizes the importance of discussing vaccination with health care providers. "I've seen firsthand the difference that vaccines can make in helping to protect children. I ensure parents are aware that all rotavirus vaccines are oral vaccines, not a shot, and can be given at the same time as other vaccines, according to the recommended CDC vaccination schedule," he explained. "I strongly encourage parents to consult with their pediatrician to ensure their children are up to date on routine vaccines."

It is important to speak with your child's health care provider to learn more about options that may be appropriate for them.

For more information about rotavirus and other common infectious diseases, visit Merck.com.

This information is provided by Merck.

Copyright © 2025 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. All rights reserved. US-ROT-00851 05/25

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