Noroviruses are a group of highly contagious viruses and the most common cause of sporadic gastroenteritis across all age groups.
Outbreaks
Noroviruses cause about 90% of all outbreaks of epidemic gastroenteritis. Most outbreaks occur in schools, hospitals, restaurants, nursing homes, daycare centres, cruise ships, camps, households and other places where people congregate. Outbreaks can occur throughout the year, but are most common in winter. Humans are the only known reservoir for noroviruses.
Symptoms
The incubation period for norovirus infection is generally 24-to-48 hours (range 12-to-72 hours). Infections are usually mild to moderate in severity and self-limiting. Symptoms often begin suddenly with nausea, vomiting, non-bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain being the most common. Vomiting is more prominent than diarrhea in children, while diarrhea usually predominates in adults. Other symptoms may include myalgia, headache, malaise and low-grade fever. Gastrointestinal symptoms typically last 48-to-72 hours with rapid recovery. Dehydration is the most common complication.
Transmission
Most outbreaks of norovirus illness happen when infected people spread the virus to others through direct contact. This can happen by caring for them or sharing food or eating utensils with them. Food, water, and surfaces contaminated with norovirus can also cause outbreaks. Norovirus infections are most communicable during the acute stage of the disease. However, people can continue to shed the virus for two to three weeks after symptom resolution.
Treatment
Most patients begin to recover on their own after one to two days without specific medical treatment. People with norovirus infection should be advised to drink plenty of liquids to replace fluids lost from vomiting and diarrhea. This is particularly important for older adults, young children, pregnant people and immunocompromised people.
Prevention
Currently, no vaccines or medications are available to prevent a norovirus infection. However, people can help prevent norovirus spread by practising good hygiene:
Wash hands with soap and water (for at least 15 seconds, particularly after using the toilet, diapering a child or before preparing/eating food).
Follow general food safety practices.
Disinfect environmental surfaces.
Advice for patients
If a person or household member develops norovirus infection, advise the following:
To help prevent the spread of infection, anyone who is ill with diarrhea or vomiting should stay home until at least 48 hours after symptoms stop (especially those who work with food, the elderly or at a hospital or child care centre).
Do not prepare food for others for at least 48 hours after symptoms stop.
Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 15 seconds after using the toilet, changing a diaper or vomiting, and before preparing/eating food.
Drink lots of fluids to avoid dehydration. Antibiotics are not useful as the illness is caused by a virus.
Seek medical attention if symptoms become severe or last longer than 72 hours.
Clean and disinfect high traffic/touch areas (e.g. taps, bathrooms, doorknobs) frequently.
There you have it, a brief run-down on norovirus and the preventative measures. Feel free to share your thoughts and don't forget to hit the like button if you like what you have read.
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