Norovirus is considered to be the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhoea) worldwide. It spreads through drink and food and has a significant impact on people’s health.
Highlights
Norovirus was originally named Norwalk Virus after the city of Norwalk located in Ohio, which was first confirmed to occur in the year 1972. Norovirus can attack all year round, but it is common in winter and hence, people sometimes call it a winter vomiting bug. Norovirus is sometimes called food poisoning as it can be transmitted through contaminated food. However, they are not necessarily the result of food contamination.
For up to 8 weeks the virus can be shed. That means one can make others sick. Infectivity usually decreases over time. In most cases, one can return to work or school after 48 hours of symptom relief. Workers in the food service industry are usually required to wait 72 hours before handling food.
Norovirus is not associated with influenza, a respiratory infection that causes chills, fever, and pain.
Symptoms
Symptoms are vomiting which is common in children, nausea, stomach cramps and watery diarrhoea. Other symptoms include Chills, Low-grade fever, Headache, fatigue and Muscle aches.
Most of these symptoms are not severe, but vomiting and diarrhoea can deplete the water that the body needs and lead to dehydration. Children and the elderly are prone to malnutrition and dehydration because they do not get enough nutrients.
Risk Factor
Eating and drinking contaminated food and drinks can lead to norovirus infection. Raw or poorly cooked oysters, raw fruits and vegetables are blamed on some outbreaks. Touching a virus-infected object or surface and then touching the nose, mouth, or eyes can also cause infection. Norovirus is strong and highly contagious, so it propagates in tight spaces such as restaurants, day care centers, and nursing homes. They can withstand extreme temperatures in water and on the surface.
As soon as someone is infected with contaminated food, the virus can be quickly transmitted by sharing food or cutlery, shaking hands, or other close contact. If someone vomits with the virus, the virus can float in the air and contaminate the surface. The virus also spreads to feces. This means that if a person doesn’t wash hands well after using the toilet, the virus can be transmitted.
The elderly and the infants and people having weakened immunity are particularly vulnerable to norovirus.
Diagnosis
If a person has symptoms the doctor may give a stool test to make sure the person is ill. However, diagnosis is made only on the basis of symptoms.
Treatment
Like other viruses, norovirus does not respond to antibiotics designed to kill bacteria. There are no antiviral drugs that can cure norovirus, but in healthy people the disease should heal spontaneously within 1-3 days.
Last Modified: February 15, 2024