children will have developed rotavirus Rotavirus antibodies. What is rotavirus? Children can be infected with rotavirus several times during their lives. Children and Rotavirus is an infection of the digestive adults with impaired immunity may system (gastroenteritis) that causes severe experience severe or prolonged rotavirus diarrhoea and vomiting, particularly in infants gastroenteritis. and young children. Signs and symptoms It is the most common cause of infectious diarrhoea in children around the world and is The onset of illness after exposure to an associated with approximately one-third to infected person is 24-72 hours and one-half of hospitalisations related to symptoms last for an average of 3 to 7 days. diarrhoeal illness in infants and children less Symptoms include: than five years of age. vomiting In temperate areas of Australia, rotavirus . fever infections are more common in mid to late winter, while in the northern tropical and arid . stomach pain regions there is no seasonal pattern. watery diarrhoea Epidemics of rotavirus can occur. Watery diarrhoea can lead to severe How do you get rotavirus? dehydration which may require treatment in hospital and can cause death in young Rotavirus spreads easily because the virus infants. can live on objects for several days unless it is killed by a disinfectant (cleaning agent that Carers of children experiencing watery kills germs). diarrhoea should watch for signs of dehydration, such as: Infection is mainly spread when infected people do not wash their hands effectively . thirst after going to the toilet and then prepare food . decreased urination for other people, or touch surfaces or objects . lethargy that are used by other people (e.g. toys, changing tables, or doorknobs). dry mouth Infection can also be spread when a person’s . sunken eyes mucous membrane (the thin, moist lining of . if the child reports feeling faint on many parts of the body such as the nose, standing. mouth, throat and genitals) comes into contact with infected airborne droplets. Outbreaks of rotavirus infection are more common in: Who is most at risk? . child care centres Infants and children between 6 and 24 months of age are most susceptible to . family homes catching rotavirus. By 3 years of age most . homes for the elderly. How do I know that I have How can rotavirus infection be rotavirus infection? prevented? If you or your children experience symptoms . Wash hands regularly with soap and water of rotavirus infection you should see your for at least 15 seconds before preparing or doctor who will arrange tests to confirm eating food, after using the toilet or diagnosis. changing nappies, after blowing your nose with a tissue and after any contamination Diagnosis of the hands with body fluids such as Your doctor will ask for a faecal (stool) blood or vomit. sample. This will be sent to the laboratory for . Do not expose infants and young children tests which look for the presence of rotavirus. to people with gastroenteritis. Treatment of rotavirus . Ensure good hygiene and house cleaning Oral rehydration therapy is the most effective practices are adopted to remove the virus treatment for rotavirus. There is no specific from surfaces, objects, door and toilet antiviral treatment available and antibiotics handles etc. are not effective. Ensure babies and small children who are While you have, or are caring for not toilet trained wear tight fitting waterproof pants or swimming nappies in someone with, the infection swimming pools and are changed . Take or give plenty of fluids. Oral regularly in the change room. When faecal rehydration solution is highly accidents occur, inform swimming pool recommended for children with mild to staff so they can ensure the pool is moderate dehydration and is available at properly disinfected. pharmacies. Follow the dosage . Rotavirus is a vaccine preventable instructions on the packaging. disease. Vaccination is recommended for . Ensure mildly unwell children drink more children from 2 months (6 – 8 weeks). often. Carbonated (fizzy) drinks or Vaccination is available through the undiluted juice should be avoided. childhood immunisation program. Do not take or give medicines to prevent Recommendations for child care vomiting or diarrhoea (especially in centres children), except where specifically advised by a doctor. Child care centres should undertake regular, effective cleaning with detergent and water, . Continue to breastfeed breastfed babies followed by rinsing and drying to remove the throughout their illness. bulk of germs from environmental surfaces . Restart children who usually take formula (refer to your school/day care policy or or solids, on their normal diet (including Staying Healthy in Child Care (external site) full strength lactose containing milk) after for recommended cleaning guidance. rehydration with oral rehydration solution. Recommendations for food each year attributed to rotavirus infection in handlers Australia. If working as a food handler in a food industry Where to get help contact your local public health staff for . See your doctor. advice if you or a staff member has been infected with rotavirus. Contact your local Public Health Unit. People with rotavirus infection must be . Visit a GP after hours. excluded from childcare, preschool, . Ring Healthdirect Australia on school and work until there has been no 1800 022 222. vomiting or diarrhoea for at least 24 hours. Remember Notifiable disease . Vaccination protects young infants from rotavirus infection. Rotavirus is a notifiable disease. This means doctors, hospitals and laboratories must . Practice good hygiene, wash hands after inform the Department of Health of your changing nappies, going to the toilet and diagnosis. Notification is confidential. before preparing food or feeding bottles. Department of Health staff may talk to you or . Young infants are at greatest risk of your doctor to find out how the infection severe dehydration see/contact your occurred, to identify other people at risk of doctor for advice. infection, to let you know about immunisation . Stay away from work, childcare or school and to tell you if you need to stay away from until diarrhoea has ceased for 24 hours. work, school or other group gatherings. Is there a vaccine for rotavirus? Acknowledgements Public Health The rotavirus vaccine (Rotarix) provides good protection against most common strains This publication is provided for education and information purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical of rotavirus. It is recommended for all infants care. Information about a therapy, service, product or as a 2 dose course administered as oral treatment does not imply endorsement and is not intended to drops (drops in the mouth). The 1st dose is replace advice from your healthcare professional. Readers should note that over time currency and completeness of the given at 2 months (can be given as early as 6 information may change. All users should seek advice from a nd weeks) followed by a 2 dose at 4 months. qualified healthcare professional for a diagnosis and answers to their medical questions. It is important for immunisation providers and parents to know that there is an upper age limit of 25 weeks, for the vaccine course to See also be completed. Before 2007, when the . About immunisation vaccine was introduced in Australia, . Childhood immunisation schedule approximately 10,000 children less than 5 years of age were hospitalised each year . Vaccination safety with rotavirus. Prior to the availability of . Where can I get my vaccination? vaccination, there was on average one death Related sites . Staying Healthy 5th edition – Preventing infectious diseases in early childhood education and care services (external site) . Guidelines for the Prevention and Management of Gastroenteritis Outbreaks in Residential Care Facilities (external site) . Immunise Australia rotavirus and intussusception information (external site) This document can be made available in alternative formats on request for a person with a disability. Produced by the Communications Directorate © Department of Health 2015 .