Norovirus
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Norovirus
- Norovirus is highly contagious and can cause inflammation in the stomach lining and the intestines resulting in vomiting and diarrhoea similar to rotavirus.
- A person can develop symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to norovirus and will get better within 1 to 3 days.
- According to the World Health Organization it is the most common pathogen causing the outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease.
- Norovirus is resistant to the common hand sanitisers and also to most disinfectants and can survive temperatures up to 60 degrees Celsius.
- This means that merely steaming food or chlorinating water cannot destroy the virus.
- Although it is called stomach flu or stomach bug, it is unrelated to the flu caused by the influenza virus.
- People of all ages can be affected by Norovirus but the elderly, children and people with comorbidities are particularly vulnerable.
- About 2 lakh people die because of norovirus every year which includes around 50,000 children.
Symptoms
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Nausea
- Gastrointestinal problems
- Fever
- Headache
- Body ache
Transmission
- Primary method through which Norovirus can be transmitted from an infected person to others is through direct contact.
- It can also be transmitted through contaminated food or water, and also by touching contaminated surfaces and then putting the unwashed hands into the mouth.
Treatment
- There is no targeted treatment for norovirus and treatment involves managing the symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting through taking generic medicines for them.
- Infected people must consume plenty of warm water to prevent dehydration.
Source “Two students in Kerala infected with Norovirus“
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