The most common cause of gastroenteritis is a viral infection caused by viruses such as norovirus and rotavirus. Infants and children are at risk of developing severe gastroenteritis symptoms. They also can be dehydrated faster than adults. Thus, it is important to monitor their condition.
Preventing gastroenteritis
As there are many strains of viruses which cause gastroenteritis, it is possible to contract it more than once. Your child can get gastroenteritis if they have physical contact with someone who has gastroenteritis, or touch objects that are contaminated, such as utensils and toys. Younger children are vulnerable to getting gastroenteritis as they tend to put their fingers in their mouths after touching common objects.
Teach your child and maintain good hygiene practices such as:
- regular handwashing
- not sharing cups or utensils
The rotavirus vaccine can be given to infants at 3 – 8 months and can help prevent severe cases of rotavirus gastroenteritis. While gastroenteritis is not fully preventable, there are available vaccines for some viruses that cause gastroenteritis. It is best to consult your paediatrician about it.