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Norovirus Infections

Also called: Norwalk virus infections

Noroviruses are a group of related viruses. Infection with these viruses causes an illness called gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It can spread from person to person, or through contaminated food or water. You can also get it if you touch a contaminated surface. Norovirus can be serious, especially for young children and older adults.

The most common symptoms of norovirus infection are

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Stomach pain

Other symptoms may include fever, headache or body aches.

Treatment includes bed rest and lots of liquids to prevent dehydration. There is no specific medicine to treat norovirus infections.

Proper hand washing and safe food preparation may help prevent infections.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Symptoms of Norovirus Infections

The following features are indicative of Norovirus Infections:
  • diarrhea
  • abdominal pain
  • vomiting
  • headache
  • fever
  • chills
  • nausea
  • occasional muscle aches
  • headache
  • low-grade fever
It is possible that Norovirus Infections shows no physical symptoms and still is present in a patient.

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Common Causes of Norovirus Infections

The following are the most common causes of Norovirus Infections:
  • contaminated food
  • contaminated water
  • raw or undercooked oysters

Risk Factors for Norovirus Infections

The following factors may increase the likelihood of Norovirus Infections:
  • young children
  • older adults
  • weakened immune system
  • HIV/AIDS

Prevention of Norovirus Infections

Yes, it may be possible to prevent Norovirus Infections. Prevention may be possible by doing the following:
  • get your child vaccinated
  • wash your hands thoroughly
  • avoid sharing eating utensils, glasses and plates
  • use separate towels in the bathroom
  • avoid close contact with anyone who has the virus
  • disinfect hard surfaces

Occurrence of Norovirus Infections

Number of Cases

The following are the number of Norovirus Infections cases seen each year worldwide:
  • Very common > 10 Million cases

Common Age Group

Norovirus Infections can occur at any age.

Common Gender

Norovirus Infections can occur in any gender.

Lab Tests and Procedures for Diagnosis of Norovirus Infections

The following lab tests and procedures are used to detect Norovirus Infections:
  • Stool test: To detect the presence of virus in the stool

Doctor for Diagnosis of Norovirus Infections

Patients should visit the following specialists if they have symptoms of Norovirus Infections:
  • Infectious disease specialist

Complications of Norovirus Infections if untreated

Yes, Norovirus Infections causes complications if it is not treated. Below is the list of complications and problems that may arise if Norovirus Infections is left untreated:
  • dehydration
  • can be fatal

Medicines for Norovirus Infections

Below is the list of medicines used for Norovirus Infections:

Self-care for Norovirus Infections

The following self-care actions or lifestyle changes may help in the treatment or management of Norovirus Infections:
  • Keep Hydrated: Drink plenty of liquids to maintain the body hydrated
  • Avoid alcohol and caffeinated drinks: Helps in reducing the chances of dehydration
  • Maintain hygiene: To avoid the chances of infection

Alternative Medicine for Treatment of Norovirus Infections

The following alternate medicine and therapies are known to help in the treatment or management of Norovirus Infections:
  • Probiotics use: Live organisms lowers the intestinal luminal pH

Time for Treatment of Norovirus Infections

While time-period of treatment for each patient may vary, below is the typical time-period for Norovirus Infections to resolve if treated properly under an expert supervision:
  • Within 1 week

Is Norovirus Infections Infectious?

Yes, Norovirus Infections is known to be infectious. It can spread across people via the following means:
  • direct contact with the infected person
  • spread through contaminated food or water

Related Topics

Last updated date

This page was last updated on 2/04/2019.
This page provides information for Norovirus Infections.

Related Topics

Gastroenteritis

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