Rotavirus Gastroenteritis

This is the most common form of gastroenteritis affecting young children under the age of two. Each year in Australia, rotavirus gastroenteritis accounts for 10,000 infant hospitalisations, up to 22,000 emergency department visits and approximately115,000 visits to the GP.

That means somewhere in the region of over a hundred thousand Australian families are affected by rotavirus gastroenteritis each year, resulting in anxiety for those caring for a sick or hospitalised infant, disruption to family life such as time off work and exclusion from childcare, plus the additional costs for healthcare, nappies, foods and formulas.

Rotavirus is extremely contagious and occurs wherever there are groups of children together who are not toilet trained; at child care in particular.

The virus spreads when a child has diarrhoea; loose faeces escape nappies more easily and end up on surfaces such as change tables. From there the virus is easily spread by hands to many surfaces.To prevent the spread of rotavirus, rigorous hygiene is extremely important, including very careful hand washing,

Liquid soap is better to use than bar soap for a number of reasons, especially at work or in a child care setting. It’s less likely to be contaminated, is easier to use and dispenses a small amount. Bar soap is easily contaminated with germs, especially if it is left to sit in a pool of water. On the other hand if it is dried out, the cracks may also harbour dirt and germs – in both situations creating more infection danger than if hands had not been washed at all.

The Federal Government will provide $124.4 million over the next five years to include free Rotavirus vaccines on the National Immunisation Program.

The new vaccine will be given orally to babies from two to six months of age, commencing in July 2007. All babies born from 1 May 2007 will be eligible for the free vaccine. Two or three doses, depending on the brand administered, will generally be given at the same time as other immunisations at around two, four and six months.

Source: Child and Youth Health: Health Topics

The information provided in this article is intended as a guide only. Always consult your doctor if you or your child is suffering any medical complaint. Any websites referred to by Australian Family contain information moderated by government and medical institutions or organisations.

This article was first published in Australian Family Magazine, May 2007. Updated July 2009.