Catching rotavirus from baby's vaccine - how likely?

[Fagin99]

My eight week old daughter had her first vaccinations today. I was a bit concerned when the nurse told me to be careful with handwashing (especially after nappy changes) as the rotavirus vaccine can be shed in stool. I'm not immuno-compromised but I really couldn't cope with being ill and looking after her at the moment. Did you catch it after your baby's vaccine? Should I wear gloves when changing nappies?

Thank you in advance x

[saltedcaramelanything]

Honestly, just wash your hands after changing her (properly, hot water 20sec etc) and you'll be fine

[Twizbe]

Wash your hands, which tbh you should be doing after nappy changes anyway. We always had hand sanitiser by the nappy change for this purpose

[Sbena]

If it would make you feel more comfortable to wear gloves then do it. Personally I was extra vigilant with washing my hands and lived to tell the tale. I think it's a very very small chance, but they have to tell you about it

[MolliciousIntent]

If you don't usually wash your hands after a nappy change then this is the time to start (also, that's grim) and no, you won't catch it.

[Fagin99]

Thank you for your replies. Yes of course I wash my hands afterwards normally, sorry if I didn't make that clear. I just meant in terms of extra precautions beyond normal washing as the nurse said it quite seriously.
Thank you for your reassurance so far.

[bloodywhitecat]

DH was immunocompromised when our last baby had her rotavirus vaccine, he didn't catch it from changing her nappies, he was just very careful with his hand washing.

[Morechocmorechoc]

Unless you get poo on your hand and then lick it or rub your eye you will be fine 🙂

[Dove88]

My DD actually got rotavirus quite badly (doctor reckons she caught it around the time she had the vaccine, before it became effective) and I was changing dirty nappies nearly every hour, still didn’t catch it myself. I am usually very susceptible to that kind of think too

[polkadotpixie]

I didn't even know this was a thing and didn't take any precautions after DS's rotavirus vaccine beyond normal hand washing and I didn't catch it

[Fagin99]

Thank you everyone :-)
Your reassurance is much appreciated x

[Itswindy]

Just to add hand sanitiser won't do anything against the rotavirus or sickness bugs, so soap and water is your best bet.

I wore gloves after my baby's first one, then completely forgot after the second one (just normal hand washing) and was fine.

[Fagin99]

Thanks @Itswindy - love the name BTW!
I've just checked my milton handgel and fortunately it is active against rotavirus, so I'll use that as well as normal handwashing. Thanks again.

[Flopisfatteningbingforchristmas]

We have 2 children and DH was immunosuppressed at the time and he didn’t catch it. We just washed our hands as normal.

[Findahouse21]

I was told to double bag nappies as well

[110APiccadilly]

I don't know anyone who caught it from their child's vaccine, so I suspect it's unlikely. We just washed hands well after nappy changes (which tbh we did anyway!)

[AnIckabog]

I did catch it, and it was grim, but I am immunocompromised so if you aren't then I wouldn't worry. I scrubbed hands and was so careful so I don't think there's any way I could have avoided it. I was very cross with the nurse though because she gave my DD the vaccine first and then told me afterwards about it shedding and said 'keep her away from immunocompromised people'. No thought whatsoever that me or her Dad might be immunocompromised.

[MoggyP]

Unless you are immune suppressed, the risk is pretty much only theoretical.

Remember - this is the vaccine. It's been attenuated, its not making your DC ill. If your immune system is normal, it won't make you ill either even if you did come in to contact.

But you won't

Just wash your hands as usual.

[Itswindy]

@Fagin99 wow I've been looking for a hand sanitizer that works for this as they usually don't. Can't believe it covers norovirus too! That's so good to know, I'm going to be buying this! (And bathing in it next time LO has a sickness bug as I loathe them!)

[Fagin99]

Thank you everyone :-)

@AnIckabog I'm sorry you had to go through that. That's terrible they didn't warn you first.

@Itswindy Happy to help! It was my go-to gel even before I was pregnant!