The ONLY way to prevent infective Gastroenteritis

I am not going to mention anything you haven’t already heard before. What I WILL do, is hopefully illustrate how to perform this daily ritual properly! Instilling this method into your chldren’s minds from an early age will help to ensure that there is less risk of them catching (or spreading) a bug. It can help to prevent members within the same family from catching the illness.

I am talking about hand washing. PROPER hand washing can prevent the spread of most infectious diseases that are spread via the faecal-oral route. Yes I know it doesn’t sound very sanitary right now but by discussing the correct way to wash your hands WILL come in handy one day (no pun intended!!!).

Faecal-Oral Transmission

Bacteria or viruses found in the stool of one child is swallowed or ingested by another child. The infective particles are invisible and are most commonly found on the hands of the infected child or on surfaces.

Infection usually is more prevalent in children's playgroups or nurseries and swimming pools.

The most effective way to prevent spread of these viruses is with THOROUGH hand washing.

1.Wet hands with water

2. Apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces

3. Rub hands palm to palm

4. Rub back of each hand with palm of other hand interlacing fingers

5. Rub with back of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlocked

(repeat above step with other hand)

6. Rub each thumb clasped in opposite hand using rotational movement

7. Rub each wrist with opposite hand

8. Rinse hands with water

9. Turn tap off using elbow or help your child with this one

10. Dry hands thoroughly

So there you have it, trying to teach Alyvia has been time-consuming but with nursery looming, I know it will pay off in the end. I try and make it fun by giving her extra soap and creating and blowing bubbles etc. Feel free to adapt it to suit your child but try to stick to the key steps.

Here is a list of infections transmitted faeco-orally:-

Adenovirus, Campylobacter, Coxsackie Virus, Enterovirus, E-Coli, Giardia, Hepatitis A, Polio, Rotavirus, Salmonella, Shigella, Tapeworms, Toxoplasmosis

Along with good hand washing, ensuring hand washing after toileting, safe and hygienic food-handling practices and separating nappy-changing areas from other public areas are also good measures to prevent your little one from getting unwell.

I hope this has been helpful! Let me know if you start to do these with your little ones, I would love to hear from you!