Primary prevention
Good personal hygiene is of utmost importance to prevent spread of the virus. This includes frequent handwashing with soap, careful nappy disposal, and proper preparation and storage of food and drinking water.[35] Breastfeeding and routine immunisation of infants with rotavirus vaccine are recommended.[5][36][37][38] Rotavirus immunisation prevents 48% to 58% of cases of severe rotavirus diarrhoea in high-mortality countries, 70% of cases of severe rotavirus diarrhoea in medium-mortality countries, and 93% to 97% of cases of severe rotavirus diarrhoea in low-mortality countries, during the first year of life.[39]
Secondary prevention
Infants should be exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months if possible. Breastfeeding should be continued with the addition of complementary foods, at least through the first 12 months. Breastfeeding thereafter should be encouraged and continued for as long as the mother and infant mutually desire.[89][90]
Universal immunisation of infants as early as 6 weeks of age and completion of the schedule by 8 months and 0 days of age with rotavirus vaccine is recommended.[36][37][38][91] Rotavirus vaccines are safe and efficacious against rotavirus morbidity and mortality.[92][93] In the UK, the rotavirus vaccine is contraindicated in babies with severe combined immunodeficiency.[94]
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