Health articles

What Is Norovirus?

Noroviruses, also known as Norwalk-like viruses are a cluster of RNA viruses, which may cause severe stomach flu or gastroenteritis. Nororvirus is believed to be extremely contagious, just ten particles of this virus are sufficient to cause someone an infection. Though cases of norovirual infection are recorded all the year round, it is more prominent in winter seasons because at wintertime people spend more time indoor in close proximity to one another.

Norovirus Symptoms

Symptoms generally become visible within 12 - 48 hours of contagion. The most common symptoms of norovirus infection are—
➢    vomiting
➢    headache
➢    fatigue
➢    nausea
➢    fever
➢    diarrhea
➢    abdominal cramping
Is Norovirus precarious?

Though the person suffering from norovirus infection may feel terrible, this infection is not life threatening. Since the contagious cause is viral, there is no medication that is used particularly to cure the infections or to lessen the symptoms. The antibiotics, that are used to combat bacterial infection, are not helpful in curing viral infections. Persons who are down with norovirus may experience vomiting and bouts of diarrhea several times all through the day. The foremost risk is dehydration that may take place if a person is not drinking an adequate amount of liquids to reinstate the fluids lost by the diarrhea and th vomiting.

How does Norovirus spread

Norovirus resides in the vomitus and stool of a sick person, and may lean-to three weeks after symptoms are vanished. A person may catch the infection if the orally (through the mouth) most commonly by dirty hands (unwhashed) that get in contact with a virus-contaminated surfaces or objects and later touch the food you eat or the liquids you drink thus contaminating it. Person coming in direct contact with the vomitus or stool of the infected person (such as the caretakers and nurses) is very prone to this infection. The utensils (silver wear) of a norovirus infected persons must be kept separate.

How to Prevent Infection

Here are some useful precautions that may reduce the chances of being infected with norovirus:
➢    Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, particularly after changing diapers, using the lavatory and before touching food, use soap or other cleaning product, rinsing your hands only with water is not enough.
➢    Take a hand disinfectant with you for use after touching surface in public places such as the bathroom door handles, shopping cart handles, etc.
➢    Wash vegetables, and fruits as any raw food may have infectious viral particles.
➢    If somebody has been ill in your family, clean and sanitize all doorknobs, surfaces, toys, handles, etc. by using a cleaner having bleach.