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Rotavirus is the most common cause of acute gastro enteritis worldwide and vaccination will have a major impact on disease rates, morbidity, and mortality Most children are not dehydrated and can be managed at home Dehydration, metabolic acidosis, and electrolyte disturbance can be prevented and treated by fluid therapy Most children with mildmoderate dehydration can be treated with oral or enteral rehydration using low osmolality oral rehydration solutions Severely dehydrated or shocked children usually need intravenous fluids and hospital admission Drugs are usually unnecessary and may do harm General practitioners have an important role in prevention, through encouraging breastfeeding, recommending and advocating free access to rotavirus vaccination, and educating carers about personal and food hygiene
Elizabeth Elliott (Thu,) studied this question.