The first top four mentioned etiologic agent that caused diarrhoeal disease is rotavirus. Rotavirus is of the Reoviridae family and is a double-stranded ribonucleic acid (RNA) virus that has a wheel-like appearance when viewed under a microscope (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2009). Figure 3 shows the image of rotavirus under a microscope.
Rotavirus is claimed to be very stable as it can remain viable in the environment for months if not sterilized (CDC, 2009). Therefore, it is considered to be highly contagious as it damages cells that line the small intestine and cause gastroenteritis especially in infants and young children (PATH, 2009).
The sign and symptoms of rotavirus infection in infants and young children begin …show more content…
This includes: taking vaccination; implementing good sanitation and hygiene; exclusive breastfeeding for six months; having access to improved water quality; taking supplements; as well as getting treatment packages (World Health Organization [WHO], 2013). In terms of vaccination, children should be given rotavirus vaccine to make sure they are protected from rotavirus diarrhea (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2015). This rotavirus vaccine should be given to children at two, four and six months of age (Baveja, 2015). As vaccination mimics the first infection without causing illness to induce strong immunity against severe rotavirus infection, it is an optimal strategy to protect infants from severe rotavirus causing diarrhea (World Health Organization [WHO], 2009). Other significant control measures that can be done to prevent rotavirus infection is by making sure to always have access to safe water and improved sanitation (WHO, 2013). Good sanitation and personal hygiene is important which can be done through frequently washing hands with soap and warm water after using the washroom as well as before preparing or eating food (WHO, 2013). Furthermore, promotion of an early and exclusive breastfeeding for six months has been considered to be one of most cost effective method of prevention in protecting young children against diarrhea as it promotes survival and healthy development of infants through the immunologic factors in the human milk, thus reducing the risk of chronic diarrhoea (WHO,
Rotavirus is claimed to be very stable as it can remain viable in the environment for months if not sterilized (CDC, 2009). Therefore, it is considered to be highly contagious as it damages cells that line the small intestine and cause gastroenteritis especially in infants and young children (PATH, 2009).
The sign and symptoms of rotavirus infection in infants and young children begin …show more content…
This includes: taking vaccination; implementing good sanitation and hygiene; exclusive breastfeeding for six months; having access to improved water quality; taking supplements; as well as getting treatment packages (World Health Organization [WHO], 2013). In terms of vaccination, children should be given rotavirus vaccine to make sure they are protected from rotavirus diarrhea (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2015). This rotavirus vaccine should be given to children at two, four and six months of age (Baveja, 2015). As vaccination mimics the first infection without causing illness to induce strong immunity against severe rotavirus infection, it is an optimal strategy to protect infants from severe rotavirus causing diarrhea (World Health Organization [WHO], 2009). Other significant control measures that can be done to prevent rotavirus infection is by making sure to always have access to safe water and improved sanitation (WHO, 2013). Good sanitation and personal hygiene is important which can be done through frequently washing hands with soap and warm water after using the washroom as well as before preparing or eating food (WHO, 2013). Furthermore, promotion of an early and exclusive breastfeeding for six months has been considered to be one of most cost effective method of prevention in protecting young children against diarrhea as it promotes survival and healthy development of infants through the immunologic factors in the human milk, thus reducing the risk of chronic diarrhoea (WHO,