Reducing Risk of Rotavirus

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ALL children can be expected to be infected by Rotavirus by the time they are five years old. In fact, Rotavirus is responsible for up to 38% of children who are hospitalised for severe diarrhoea and dehydration.

Here is how you can reduce your child’s risk: 

·   Breastfeed your child  

·  Be extra careful when preparing food at home 

·  Ensure all food is reheated properly before eating 

·  Never store cooked food in the fridge for more than two days  

·  Encourage every family member, including the maid or helper, to practise good 

    hygiene at home 

·  Sterilise all feeding equipment by washing them in very hot water  

The above steps can reduce the risk of a Rotavirus infection but they cannot guarantee full protection.  

The only way is to vaccinate your child against the infection in early infancy. The Rotavirus vaccine is given orally and is designed to stimulate immunity from an early age so that your child’s first encounter with Rotavirus will only be a mild infection or one without symptoms.  

Do ask your child’s doctor for more information.