How to care for babies infected with rotavirus

Rotavirus has a very obvious seasonality, which is usually very obvious in spring and autumn. This is when rotavirus is most active, so mothers must take good care of their babies to prevent rotavirus. Rotavirus is contagious, so at this time, try to avoid taking your baby to crowded places. Wash your hands promptly after coming back from outside, and wash the food you eat thoroughly.

1. Severe cases require medical attention

Children with severe diarrhea and dehydration symptoms should go to a children's hospital for diagnosis and treatment in a timely manner, and should be hospitalized or receive intravenous treatment if necessary.

2. Do not take antidiarrheal drugs

Like other types of diarrhea, infants and young children suffering from autumn diarrhea should not take adult antidiarrheal drugs, as this is very dangerous for them. For example, autumn diarrhea is caused by rotavirus infection. Taking antibiotics is not only ineffective, but also disrupts the growth of normal intestinal flora.

3. Adjust your diet

As long as there is no severe vomiting, most children do not need to fast. Children with severe vomiting need to fast for 4-6 hours before gradually increasing their feeding. Appropriately reduce the number of feedings, feed sugar and salt water, and reduce the burden on the gastrointestinal tract.

4. Prevent dehydration

The child should be given more water (mainly boiled water) in small amounts and multiple times. When a child has symptoms of dehydration due to frequent diarrhea, or has been diagnosed with mild or moderate dehydration, he is generally given oral rehydration salts. For moderate or severe dehydration or vomiting and diarrhea, intravenous infusion is required. These measures can promptly correct dehydration, electrolyte and acid-base imbalances.

5. Protect your hips

The child's buttocks should be cleaned after each bowel movement to prevent diaper dermatitis, and then some oily ointment should be applied to prevent the child from getting a "red buttocks" due to being soaked in feces and urine.

6. When the child resumes eating, he can be fed rice soup or diluted milk. After the condition is under control, when you start to resume normal eating, you should pay attention to the gradual transition from liquid to semi-liquid food and then to soft rice.

7. Children with autumn diarrhea should rest and avoid going to crowded places such as public places as much as possible. Keep the indoor air fresh and well-circulated to reduce the chance of viral infection. Children should avoid going to nurseries and other public places to avoid infection.

8. Children with diarrhea should be isolated

Parents should wash their hands carefully before and after caring for their children to prevent cross infection, keep them clean and avoid secondary infection. At the same time, disinfection should also be done well. All items used by the sick child (diapers, clothes, toys, books, etc.) should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to prevent infection.