Sara Dobson
Rachel Henwood - Freelance WriterRotavirus
November 16th 2008 10:11
Childcare, as if crying and separation anxiety is not enough, having a child in care can mean being sick in a way you may never have imagined possible.
I was pleased with Samantha on her first day several weeks ago. She wondered off and played, hardly noticed when I said goodbye, and settled quite well.
That was Monday. I don’t work on Tuesday and we had a fun day shopping, with Samantha happily smiling at all the shop keepers. She went to bed that evening feeling well and happy, but by the early hours of Wednesday morning she was miserable and very sick.
After visiting the doctor, I was told she had Rotavirus, which is very common for all children when they first start childcare, and it is very contagious. He was not kidding, within 2 days I could not get out of bed, my husband had to stay at home and look after everyone, but by the middle of the afternoon, he too had been wiped out.
Symptoms
The onset of this virus can appear sudden. However, the virus incubates for two days, which explains why Samantha came home from day care happy on Monday and showed no symptoms until Tuesday night.
Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhoea (which may last between 2-5 days). There may also be a mild fever. Sometimes diarrhoea may last longer because the infection in the gut can lead to an intolerance to sugars in some foods (usually lactose which is milk sugar).
What to do
It can be scary when your child is so sick; and it is always best to seek medical advice.
Give them lots of fluids, so they don’t become dehydrated, which may require hospitalisation.
If you are also infected with Rotavirus you can take Gastrostop or Imodium from your chemist. It is also important take ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) to replace lost potassium and salts. Babies cannot take Imodium or Gastrostop but they can take ORS (double check with your pharmacist as to what form it can be taken in).
How do you protect your child?
It is hard to protect your child from rotavirus especially when they go to day care, as it is very contagious. Hygiene is important - all nappy changing areas need to be constantly cleaned and sterilised, as do all communal areas. Hands need to be washed after changing nappies and before food is handled.
Nowadays babies in Australia are immunised against the virus at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. It doesn’t stop children contracting the disease but the symptoms are less severe, which may explain why my husband and I suffered a lot worse than Samantha did.
For more information about the disease and immunisation in Australia, see the government information for Parents and Guardians.
I was pleased with Samantha on her first day several weeks ago. She wondered off and played, hardly noticed when I said goodbye, and settled quite well.
That was Monday. I don’t work on Tuesday and we had a fun day shopping, with Samantha happily smiling at all the shop keepers. She went to bed that evening feeling well and happy, but by the early hours of Wednesday morning she was miserable and very sick.
After visiting the doctor, I was told she had Rotavirus, which is very common for all children when they first start childcare, and it is very contagious. He was not kidding, within 2 days I could not get out of bed, my husband had to stay at home and look after everyone, but by the middle of the afternoon, he too had been wiped out.
Symptoms
The onset of this virus can appear sudden. However, the virus incubates for two days, which explains why Samantha came home from day care happy on Monday and showed no symptoms until Tuesday night.
Symptoms include vomiting and diarrhoea (which may last between 2-5 days). There may also be a mild fever. Sometimes diarrhoea may last longer because the infection in the gut can lead to an intolerance to sugars in some foods (usually lactose which is milk sugar).
What to do
It can be scary when your child is so sick; and it is always best to seek medical advice.
Give them lots of fluids, so they don’t become dehydrated, which may require hospitalisation.
If you are also infected with Rotavirus you can take Gastrostop or Imodium from your chemist. It is also important take ORS (Oral Rehydration Solution) to replace lost potassium and salts. Babies cannot take Imodium or Gastrostop but they can take ORS (double check with your pharmacist as to what form it can be taken in).
How do you protect your child?
It is hard to protect your child from rotavirus especially when they go to day care, as it is very contagious. Hygiene is important - all nappy changing areas need to be constantly cleaned and sterilised, as do all communal areas. Hands need to be washed after changing nappies and before food is handled.
Nowadays babies in Australia are immunised against the virus at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. It doesn’t stop children contracting the disease but the symptoms are less severe, which may explain why my husband and I suffered a lot worse than Samantha did.
For more information about the disease and immunisation in Australia, see the government information for Parents and Guardians.
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