The compound called lactadherin, is manufactured in the breast and does not break down in the baby's stomach, instead it mimics natural carbohydrates found along the child's intestinal walls. The rotavirus mistakenly identifies lactadherin as this home growth carbohydrate and latches onto it in order to anchor itself in the gut. Then, both lactadherin and the bound virus are flushed out of the child's system. Until recently, vaccines are available for preventing rotavirus infection. Rotavirus vaccine helps to prevent serious dehydration.
Dehydration is the primary cause of morbidity and mortality from diarrhea disease.
Rotavirus vaccine does not prevent diarrhea caused by other organisms. As with any medicine, rotavirus vaccine is possible association of intussusceptions among some infants. Intussceptions is the type of bowel obstruction, where a part of the intestine becomes enfolded within another. Symptoms include vomiting, bloody stools, and abdominal pain. Surgery often is needed to clear the blockage if it is not caught early.