Gastroenteritis caused by viruses can spread very quickly and rotavirus, the most common cause in children, is highly infectious.

While it is nearly impossible to stop a child coming home with an infection, there are several things you can do to limit or try to prevent the spread when someone in the house has diarrhoea and vomiting caused by a virus. These are basic hygiene rules that should be followed at all times.

Make sure everyone washes and dries their hands after:

• using the toilet
• changing nappies
• handling dirty clothing and linen
• cleaning up diarrhoea or vomit
• helping children with going to the toilet

And before:

• eating
• preparing food and drink

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You can also help prevent the spread of viral gastroenteritis by:

• not sharing with others the soap, flannel and towel used to wash an infected child
• washing linen and clothing soiled with diarrhoea and vomit seperately from the rest of your washing and on as hot a wash as possible
• disposing of nappies properly and washing your hands afterwards
• not sharing the infected child’s bath water with other children, and cleaning the bath out well after an infected child has used it
• cleaning toilet seats, flush handles, door handles and taps with soapy water and disinfectant
• disinfecting potties and toilets with bleach after use

There are other means to prevent gastroenteritis,caused by rotavirus infection. Please contact your GP or other healthcare provider for more information.

If your child has symptoms of gastroenteritis keep them away from other children until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.

Visit the management page to find out what to do about diarrhoea and vomiting >