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According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause the “stomach flu,” or gastroenteritis, in people. They are also referred to as Norwalk-like viruses.

Noroviruses are the most common cause of outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Norovirus outbreaks affect people of all ages, spreads quickly from person-to-person and occur in a wide variety of settings such as nursing homes, hospitals, restaurants, communities, schools, day care centers, military barracks and cruise ships, or places where large numbers of people share a common space, according to the CDC. People are more likely to come into contact with the virus when sharing a limited space or living situation with an infected person.

Noroviruses are found in the stool or vomit of infected people. People can become infected in several ways, including:

• Eating food or drinking liquids contaminated with Norovirus.
• Touching contaminated surfaces or objects, and then placing their hand in their mouth;
• Having direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms (for example, when caring for someone with this illness, or sharing foods or eating utensils with someone who is ill).

Norovirus is sometimes referred to as food poisoning because it can cause an outbreak if a foodservice worker carrying the virus spreads it to food items during preparation.

Incubation

Symptoms of Norovirus usually appear 24 to 48 hours after coming into contact with the virus, but they can appear as early as 12 hours after exposure.

Symptoms

The illness often comes on suddenly with episodes of diarrhea and vomiting. The symptoms of Norovirus include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and some stomach cramping.

Additionally, some people have a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches and a general sense of tiredness.

The most common complication, dehydration, occurs among the very young, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems.

Duration

Most people only show symptoms for 1-2 days, and suffer no long-term health effects.

Action

Currently, there is no vaccine or treatment for Norovirus. As with any illness, people with Norovirus should get plenty of rest and constantly drink fluids to remain hydrated.

Dehydration can become serious.  Symptoms of severe dehydration include, dry mouth, the inability to produce tears, muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting, heart palpitations and lightheadedness (especially when standing upright). If you think you or someone you are caring for is severely dehydrated, contact your healthcare provider.

Prevention

• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer as a complement to soap and water washing.
• Do not share eating utensils, toothbrushes, linens or other personal items with others, especially people displaying symptoms of Norovirus.
• Disinfect bathrooms and any areas possibly contaminated by ill persons, using a chlorine bleach solution or other antibacterial disinfectant.
• Carefully wash produce and thoroughly cook all foods to their safe internal temperature, especially if the food items have been handled by someone with the virus.
• Wash all linens and surfaces that have come into contact with infected persons.

Sources:

U.S. Center for Disease Control. “Norovirus: Q&A,” http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/norovirus-qa.htm; accessed 09 Oct. 2009.

Clinical Infectious Diseases 2009. “Norovirus,” accessed 09 Oct. 2009.

Medicine Net. “Dehydration symptoms, causes, prevention, signs and effects,” http://www.medicinenet.com/dehydration/page2.htm#tocd; accessed 13 Oct. 2009.

Image Source:

Kansas State University. “Norovirus,” http://nabc.ksu.edu/images/uploads/norovirus.jpg; accessed 30 Oct. 2009.