Preventing and managing rotavirus. (cover story)

ROTAVIRUS diseases; PREVENTIVE medicine; JUVENILE diseases; ROTAVIRUSES; ORAL rehydration therapy; DIARRHEA

This article discusses the ways to prevent rotavirus. There is no specific treatment for rotavirus. Management is supportive, with oral fluid replacement with rehydration salts in children. Parents also need to be advised on handwashing and preventing transmission. Children attending nursery schools and playgroups should be kept at home until 48 hours after the diarrhea has stopped.