digestive disorders
Rotavirus Gastroenteritis
Prevention of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis
Handwashing Avoiding high-risk foods and beverages Vaccination Good hygiene practices are important at all times, not just when there is an outbreak of gastroenteritis. Because most rotavirus infections are transmitted by person-to-person contact, particularly through direct or indirect contact with infected stool, good handwashing with soap and water after a bowel movement is the most effective means of prevention. If soap and clean water are unavailable, an antibacterial hand sanitizer should be used. To prevent foodborne infections, hands should be washed before touching food, knives and cutting boards used to cut raw meat should be washed before use with any other food, meat and eggs should be cooked thoroughly, and leftovers should be refrigerated promptly after cooking. Only pasteurized dairy products and pasteurized apple juice should be used. Travelers should try to avoid high-risk foods and beverages, such as those sold by street vendors. To prevent recreational water illness, people should not swim if they have diarrhea. Infants and toddlers should have frequent diaper checks and should be changed in a bathroom and not near the water. Swimmers should avoid swallowing water while swimming. For children, caregivers should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water before preparing bottles for formula-fed infants. They should also wash their hands after changing diapers. Diaper-changing areas should be disinfected with a freshly prepared solution of household bleach (¼ cup bleach diluted in 1 gallon of water). Children with diarrhea should not go to a day care center until their symptoms are gone. It takes 20 seconds to receive the full benefit of handwashing with regular soap and water. Two vaccines to prevent rotavirus are available. Rotavirus Vaccine is one of the routinely recommended infant vaccines. Depending on the vaccine used, two or three doses of the vaccine are given by mouth at ages 2 months and 4 months or at ages 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months. 