Which vaccine is used to control diarrhoea?

Appeared in: Tripura CHO - 2021

Explanation

Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe, dehydrating diarrhoea in infants and young children globally.
The Rotavirus vaccine is a live-attenuated oral vaccine specifically developed to protect against gastroenteritis caused by the rotavirus.
Its inclusion in national immunization programs has led to a dramatic reduction in hospital admissions for severe childhood diarrhoea and vomiting.
The vaccine is administered orally in a multi-dose schedule during early infancy.

Option A: The Pneumococcal vaccine targets Streptococcus pneumoniae, a bacterium that causes respiratory infections like pneumonia, and invasive diseases like meningitis and sepsis, not diarrhoea.
Option C: The Salk vaccine, or Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine (IPV), is used to prevent poliomyelitis, a viral disease that affects the nervous system and can cause paralysis. It does not protect against diarrhoea.
Option D: The HIB vaccine protects against Haemophilus influenzae type b, a bacterium responsible for serious illnesses like meningitis, pneumonia, and epiglottitis, especially in children under five. It does not prevent viral diarrhoea.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Vaccine-Preventable Diseases as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses are central to educating parents on the immunization schedule, including the Rotavirus vaccine, and explaining its critical role in preventing severe, life-threatening dehydration from diarrhoea.
A key nursing instruction for parents is that if an infant spits out or regurgitates a dose of the oral Rotavirus vaccine, the dose should not be repeated. The child should continue with the remaining doses in the schedule as planned.
Nurses must screen for contraindications before administration, such as a history of intussusception or a diagnosis of Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID).

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question, which is "diarrhoea".
The question asks for a vaccine that controls this specific condition.
Review the options and recall the primary disease each vaccine prevents.
Pneumococcal vaccine prevents pneumonia and meningitis.
Salk vaccine prevents polio.
HIB vaccine prevents Haemophilus influenzae type b infections (like meningitis).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Qi-sl5-6Eps3GgaGVRFiL4

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 1 — Subpart B (pp 202-403 of 604) p. 82-84

E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 200-202

Practise the full Tripura CHO - 2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.