The mode of transmission is faecal-oral. Period of Communicability During acute illness, viral shedding occurs before symptoms start and lasts for up to 14 days from the onset of diarrhoea. Patients with a suppressed immune system may shed the virus for 30 days or more. Asymptomatic cases may also spread infection. Susceptibility and Resistance Susceptibility is greatest between six and 24 months of age.
Immunosuppressed infants are at increased risk of infection.
By three years of age, most children have rotavirus antibodies. Control of Case Cases should be excluded from school and child care until diarrhoea has ceased. Lactose intolerance may follow viral gastroenteritis and cause prolonged diarrhoea. If this occurs, a child may return to school or child care when they can provide a doctor's explanatory letter. Contact of symptomatic cases with other young family members should be minimised.