Information for the public

Preventing the spread of gastroenteritis

Preventing the spread of gastroenteritis

Your healthcare professional should tell you that:

  • the most important way to prevent the spread of gastroenteritis is washing hands with soap (liquid if possible) in warm running water, and careful drying afterwards

  • you and/or your child should wash your hands after going to the toilet, changing nappies, and before touching food

  • towels used by children with gastroenteritis should not be shared

  • your child should not go to school or any other childcare facility, but they can return 48 hours after the last episode of diarrhoea or vomiting

  • your child should not swim in swimming pools for 2 weeks after diarrhoea has stopped.