Since infants and young children could not express discomfort verbally, parents need to judge based on the observation. It is not uncommon that infants and young children spit up milk occasionally with changes in stool shape and odour, if the bowel habit changes more frequently, e.g. the colour of the stool changes suddenly up to 10 times (compared to only 3 times generally), with loose stools, it may be caused by a viral infection.

Treatment and prevention of rotavirus

Treatment

Currently, there is no cure for rotavirus, other than to relieve symptoms. Severe dehydration occurs occasionally in young children. Parents shall provide enough water to their children and help reduce fever. Most of the symptoms will be stabilised within 2 to 3 days.

Prevention

Rotavirus vaccine is not currently included in the regular government "Hong Kong Children's Vaccination Program", and parents need to arrange vaccination for their children at their own expense. There are oral rotavirus vaccines on the market. Parents may discuss with their doctors the time for vaccination. In general, protection is diminished if a child vaccinates after age one. As the child's immune system has grown, the response and severity of infection may be relatively reduced, and parents may arrange it according to the child's needs.

Rotavirus is mainly transmitted through the oral and faecal route, but can also be transmitted through eating and drinking contaminated water and food, or by touching contaminated surfaces. In addition to the oral rotavirus vaccine for infants, which is effective in preventing this infection, maintaining good personal, food and environmental hygiene is paramount.

The oral rotavirus vaccine is now available at our clinic.