How to Help Prevent the Spread of Rotavirus
Rotavirus is the most common cause of diarrheal disease found in infants and young children, and it spreads very quickly amongst those infected. However, older children and adults can also get sick from rotavirus.1
Children who are infected may have severe watery diarrhea, often with vomiting, fever and abdominal pain. Vomiting and watery diarrhea can last from 3 to 8 days. Additional symptoms may include loss of appetite and dehydration (loss of body fluids), which can be especially dangerous for infants and young children, including a decrease in urination, dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up.1
To help reduce the spread of rotavirus at home, you can use these practical tips:
Tips at Home
- Get vaccinated
- The CDC recommends a rotavirus vaccination as the best way to protect your child from contracting the virus2
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds — the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice — or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Disinfect hard, nonporous surfaces3 using an EPA-registered disinfectant, such as Clorox® Regular Bleach2:
- Wash and rinse surface with water
- Mix 1/2 cup of Clorox® Regular Bleach2 in 3/4 gallon of water
- Wipe area with bleach solution and let solution stand for 10 minutes
- Rinse well and air dry
- Sanitize baby bottles and toys, especially since those items can potentially come into contact with other germy areas around the house:3
- Wash and rinse items with water
- Mix 2 teaspoons of Clorox® Regular Bleach2, with 1 gallon of water
- Soak items in bleach solution for at least 2 minutes
- Let air dry
1. https://www.cdc.gov/rotavirus/about/symptoms.html
2. https://www.cdc.gov/rotavirus/about/prevention.html
3. Clorox Master Label