Primary prevention

Good personal hygiene is of utmost importance to prevent spread of the virus. This includes frequent handwashing with soap, careful diaper disposal, and proper preparation and storage of food and drinking water.[18]​​

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccination of all infants to prevent severe rotavirus gastroenteritis.[13] However, vaccination is not recommended for adults.

Secondary prevention

Recommendations for secondary prevention include:

  • Promptly reporting outbreaks to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local health authorities.[15]

  • Routine administration of rotavirus vaccine for qualifying infants (to reduce transmission within families).[13]

  • Frequent hand washing to minimize person-to-person spread. Alcohol-based disinfectants have been shown to reduce work absences due to diarrhea.[47]

  • Prompt disinfection of contaminated surfaces with household chlorine bleach-based cleaners, and prompt washing of soiled articles of clothing. Hypochlorite solution is an alternative disinfection agent.[45]

  • It may be prudent to isolate or cohort patients with suspected norovirus.[15][43]

  • Face masks should be worn if splashes are possible, such as with incontinent patients.[15][43]

  • Discharge of an affected patient from an acute care facility to a nursing home should only be considered when 5 days have elapsed since cessation of symptoms. For patients returning home, a 2-day clearance period is sufficient.[43]

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