Norovirus causes stomach flu and is easily transmitted through contaminated hands or food. It can lead to dehydration, especially in young children and the elderly. Prevention includes proper hand washing and staying away from others when sick.
Norovirus, also sometimes called Norwalk virus, causes stomach flu. People infected with a norovirus usually suffer from stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and a slight fever. This virus often occurs during epidemics. It is a common cause of the high number of people getting sick on cruise ships. It can also sweep a convalescent home or school with ease.
Failure to wash your hands properly after using the restroom usually transmits the norovirus to others. Contact with hands or food prepared from hands contaminated with infected feces molecules can cause epidemics. Sometimes exposure to sewage can also cause norovirus outbreaks. More commonly, however, an outbreak begins with an infected person preparing food for others without washing their hands thoroughly.
For example, on a cruise ship, one person who didn’t wash their hands and then cut fruit for a large fruit salad could infect large numbers of people. Incubation for the disease is usually about a day or two. This means that people exposed to the Norwalk virus get sick fairly quickly after exposure.
In healthy populations, norovirus is uncomfortable, uncomfortable, and miserable. However, no interventions are usually needed as healthy people usually recover in about 24 to 48 hours. The course of the virus in the elderly, the very young, or those with serious illnesses can be more complicated.
In young children, constant vomiting and diarrhea can easily lead to dehydration. If you believe a child has been exposed to Norwalk virus, it may be best to see a doctor, particularly if symptoms don’t resolve within the first 24 hours. With older and medically frail people, dehydration can also be a factor. Norovirus can also complicate other diseases.
Some people may require hospitalization and intravenous fluids to recover from norovirus without risking severe dehydration. Dehydration can also prolong the symptoms of vomiting, and severe dehydration can lead to organ failure. If your symptoms don’t resolve in a day or two, you should see a doctor.
To prevent transmission, people should always wash their hands thoroughly with soap and warm water after using the lavatory and before eating. If one is sick with stomach flu, he should try to stay away from others. Children should be kept home from school until symptoms resolve. Especially food industry workers should not go to work when they have stomach flu.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
