Viral gastroenteritis in day-care settings: epidemiology and new developments

Abstract

Viral gastroenteritis is one of the most frequently encountered problems in the day-care setting. Four different viruses are proven diarrhea pathogens, and each consists of multiple antigenic types. Most vial gastroenteritis cases occur during outbreaks, indicating that exposure is high once the agent is in the center. The occurrence of frequent outbreaks of infection in DCCs permits better studies of the immunologic factors that protect children against infection in this setting than can be achieved outside group settings.