To help prevent infection:

• Always cook food correctly and follow good hygiene
• Regularly wash hands with hot, soapy water
• Clean the toilet with disinfectant after use.

If suffering from diarrhoea:

• Keep sipping water
• Get plenty of rest
• Eat easily digestible foods as soon as possible
• Seek further advice if there is no improvement after a day of taking an antidiarrhoeal
• Avoid dairy products and foods that are high in fat, fibre or sugar.

Fluid replacement is the most important treatment (especially in children) because diarrhoea takes fluid and nutrients from the body. Sufferers should be advised to sip plain water and rest until symptoms have eased.

Trying to eat a light diet rather than starving themselves will speed up the recovery process. Foods that are easy to digest include soup, rice, pasta and bread. Babies should continue to be given their normal feed.