NPHC: Children with Suspected Intestinal Infection Should Not Attend School or Other Childcare Facility
The National Public Health Centre (NPHC) points out that intestinal infectious diseases are reported in the country all year round, but in the cold period of the year, intestinal diseases of viral origin are more common, one of the most common being rotavirus infection. This message aims at explaining how it is transmitted, what the symptoms of the disease are and how to protect against it.
Over the last year, 1,569 cases of rotavirus infection were reported. Outbreaks of rotavirus infection are registered every year, mostly in families, due to lack of personal hygiene. In 2019, 144 outbreaks of the disease were reported (324 people infected), and in 2022, 62 outbreaks (128 people infected) were reported. Last year, 1 outbreak was reported in a preschool.
This year (January-August), 1107 cases and 63 family outbreaks were reported.
How is rotavirus transmitted?
Rotavirus is present in an infected person's stool two days before symptoms appear and for up to 10 days after symptoms lessen. The virus spreads easily through hand-to-mouth contact and contaminated objects throughout this time — even if the infected person does not have symptoms.
"The disease can spread through food if it is prepared with unwashed, virus-infected hands. Low-heat processed food is especially dangerous, i.e., sandwiches, salad. Children often get infected from each other, and adults at home get infected from sick children", - explains Aušra Bartulienė, chief specialist of the Communicable Disease Management Department at NPHC.
What are the symptoms of the disease?
The incubation period of rotavirus disease is approximately 2 days. The disease begins acutely. The main early symptom is vomiting, which can last from 2 to 6 days, followed by three to seven days of watery diarrhoea. Diarrhoea is frequent, up to 20 times a day, stool is liquid or semi-liquid. The infection can cause abdominal pain and mild symptoms of inflammation of the upper respiratory tract as well. Almost 90 % of patients have a fever. Fever may vary from mild (up to 37.8 °C) to very high and lasts up to 3-4 days.
Due to the lack of hygiene skills, viruses spread both in families and in groups of children through contaminated hands and surfaces. Since preschool children are very susceptible to this infection, it spreads easily in groups. "If a child has had diarrhoea or vomits, he/she should not be taken to the kindergarten, and you should contact a doctor who will prescribe treatment and tell you when the child can return to the kindergarten," – says the NPHC representative.
Vaccination is the most effective preventative measure
The most effective way to protect against rotavirus infection is vaccination, which must be given to babies no later than 32 weeks of age.
In Lithuania, vaccination against rotavirus infection has been included in the preventive vaccination calendar since September 2018. Infants are vaccinated at the expense of the State. The vaccination course is 3 doses, at 2, 4 and 6 months.
Other ways to prevent the spread of intestinal infections:
Wash hands.This is the main preventive measure to help prevent the spread the virus. Hands should be washed with warm water and soap. It is necessary to wash your hands not only after using the toilet or when exposed to the faeces of a patient, but after returning from a store or travelling in public transport, and always before eating and cooking. Young children are not able to wash their hands properly on their own, so adults should help them.
Do not take your child to kindergarten if they are sick. Preschoolers are highly susceptible to rotavirus infection. Therefore, if a child has had diarrhoea or started vomiting, it is recommended not to send him/her to the kindergarten. A sick person is contagious for approximately 7 days.
Isolate the patient. A separate room or at least a part of it should be assigned to the sick person at home. The room where the patient is staying should be well ventilated. When caring for the patient, it is advised to use disposable nursing materials.
Follow hygiene rules. The toilet and the room where the patient is staying should be cleaned with separate tools and cloths. It is recommended to use disinfectants containing chlorine, safely dispose of a sick baby's diapers, store, and wash the patient's laundry separately. Before laundry treat the clothes in boiling water with washing powder for 15 minutes and iron. Children's toys should be washed with soap or soda solution, then well rinsed under running water and dried.
"Thorough hand hygiene, room cleaning, disinfection and ventilation are the main measures that help protect against viral intestinal infections," – says the NPHC specialist.
Last updated: 05-10-2023
Related news:
NPHC Recommendations to Residents Regarding the Fire in Šilutė
Preliminary Overview of the 2025–2026 Influenza Season
Flu Season Is Ending: Incidence Rates Lower Than at the Same Time Last Year
Respiratory infection morbidity is decreasing
NPHC Provides Guidance on How toAct When Air Pollution Increases