Symptoms of norovirus

Noroviruses cause gastroenteritis, an illness that is more often than not comprised of diarrhea and/or vomiting. It can often be known as stomach flu, even though it has nothing to do with the actual flu. The Norovirus is usually established in North America and is very transferable.

Unfortunately, there is no known medicine that will stop a norovirus infection. However, there are simple drinks, such as Gatorade, that will help you rehydrate at a quicker rate.

Causes of Noroviruses?

It is found in the stool or/and vomit of the infected citizens. It is extremely contagious, and the development of symptoms normally can be seen within 24 to 48 hours, but in some cases, can be seen within just a few short hours after infection.

There are many ways to become infected, such as direct contact with another person who is infected with the virus, touching surfaces or any things that have been contaminated (like door handles), and eating food that is contaminated by the food handlers.

The virus can survive on any surface and withstand chlorine and high temperatures. Norovirus is easily spread and more so in group-confined areas such as schools, cruise ships, and hotels.

Duration of Symptoms

In healthy people, the acute diarrhea and/or vomiting normally lasts between eight to twelve hours, and they usually get better within 48 hours.

In the US, noroviruses are estimated to cause 21 million cases annually with economic losses reaching $2 billion. Outbreak investigations frequently implicate vomiting as a major transmission risk. However, little is known about the characteristics of vomiting as a symptom or the amount of virus present in emesis.

Emesis samples and symptomology data were obtained from previous norovirus human challenge studies with GI.1 Norwalk virus, GII.2 Snow Mountain virus, and a pilot study with GII.1 Hawaii virus. Viral titers in emesis were determined using strain-specific quantitative RT-PCR. In all four studies, vomiting was common with 40–100% of infected subjects vomiting at least once.
However, only 45% of subjects with vomiting also had diarrhea. Most of the emesis samples had detectable virus and the mean viral titers were 8.0 x 105 and 3.9 x 104 genomic equivalent copies (GEC)/ml for GI and GII viruses, respectively (p = 0.02). Sample pH was correlated with GII.2 Snow Mountain virus detection.
Half of all subjects with symptomatic infection experienced vomiting and the average subject shed 1.7 x 108 GEC in emesis. Unlike shedding through stool, vomiting is more likely to result in significant environmental contamination, leading to transmission through fomites and airborne droplets. This quantitative data will be critical for risk assessment studies to further understand norovirus transmission and develop effective control measures.

✓ Fact confirmed: Vomiting as a Symptom and Transmission Risk in Norovirus Illness: Evidence from Human Challenge Studies Amy E. Kirby, Ashleigh Streby, Christine L. Moe; April 26, 2016

Prevention

Wash your hands often, and do not eat undercooked shellfish. Wash all fruits/ vegetables before eating. Clean the infected surfaces straight after an incident of sickness - use hot, soapy water and then use a household disinfectant. Remove and wash clothing or linen away that may be contaminated. If you are infected with norovirus, don’t make physical contact with others

If you get the norovirus, you should drink a lot of fluids preferably water or rehydration drinks like Gatorade. Younger children and the elderly are at a bigger risk of dehydration, the symptoms of dehydration will be a reduction in urination, possibly a dry mouth, and the feeling of dizziness. However, a child may just cry with little or no tears. If severe dehydration occurs, this can be serious, and the person may need to go to hospital.

Are Noroviruses Dangerous?

The virus itself is uncomfortable and can cause a little pain due to vomiting and diarrhea. As long as you keep hydrated, then there should be no cause for major concern. However, if symptoms persist for more than 48 hours, call your doctor.