what is it and what are the related symptoms?

2023-08-26 09:30:00

Health

Published: 8/26/2023 Last updated: 8/26/2023

Published: 8/26/2023 Last updated: 8/26/2023

Norovirus is a highly infectious virus that causes symptoms in the gastrointestinal system.

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that is spread primarily through person-to-person contact. Infected people often experience symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps.

It can affect people of all ages, being the most frequent cause of gastroenteritis in the United States, including children, with the peak incidence occurring between 6 and 18 months of age. Infections occur throughout the year, but most of them are seen between November and April.

Interested in the topic? Keep reading to find out more!

Index:

What is norovirus?What are the signs and symptoms?norovirus transmissionTreatmentsHow to make the diagnosis?How to prevent?What is the difference between rotavirus and norovirus?

What is norovirus?

Norovirus belongs to the genus Norovirus and the Caliciviridae family. Within this genus, noroviruses are divided into five genogroups, designated GI to GV. This classification is based on the identity of amino acids present in the virus.

Among the Norovirus genogroups, the strains that are known to infect humans are mainly the genogroups GI, GII and GIV.

Currently, noroviruses are recognized as the main cause of outbreaks of non-bacterial gastroenteritis and also play a significant role in the sporadic occurrence of gastroenteritis in children and adults.

It is highly contagious and only a small amount of the virus is enough to cause an infection. This means that crowded environments, such as cruise ships and nursing homes, are particularly susceptible to outbreaks of gastroenteritis caused by this virus.

Gastroenteritis

In 1968, it was identified that norovirus was the first viral agent related to gastrointestinal disease and is currently recognized as the main cause of outbreaks of non-bacterial gastroenteritis. Playing a significant role in the sporadic occurrence of gastroenteritis in children and adults.

Gastroenteritis is transmitted by the fecal-oral route, that is, the infection occurs when a person comes into contact with food, water or objects contaminated by the feces of an infected person.

This inflammation can be caused by different types of agents, such as viruses, bacteria, parasites or toxins. Gastroenteritis can affect people of all ages and is a common cause of diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain and vomiting.

Read more: Gastroenteritis: understand the causes and treatments

What are the signs and symptoms?

Norovirus symptoms usually manifest within 12 to 72 hours of exposure to the virus. Usually, the infection is self-limited and the person recovers completely within a few days without the need for specific treatment.

The main symptoms are:

The incubation period for norovirus is relatively short, ranging from 24 to 48 hours after exposure to the virus. This short period between exposure and the onset of symptoms is extremely dangerous, as there is a rapid spread of infection in environments with many people in close contact.

Complications

The main complication caused by the infection is dehydration, due to vomiting and diarrhea. Excessive fluid loss can lead to a significant reduction in fluid volume in the body, which can be especially dangerous in young children, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems.

It is not common for norovirus to lead to complications, however, the case can get worse especially in vulnerable groups, leading to associated infections. The main complications of norovirus include:

Diarrhea chronic; Electrolyte disorders; Decreased cognitive functions.

Severe dehydration can be dangerous and, in extreme cases, can lead to serious complications and even death. In very young children, the elderly, and people with debilitating health conditions, norovirus infection can be especially worrisome.

In some cases, norovirus infection can lead to secondary complications such as opportunistic bacterial infections due to reduced immune system function during the period of acute infection.

Read more: Dehydration (in children, the elderly): see what it is and symptoms

norovirus transmission

Norovirus transmission basically occurs via the fecal-oral route, that is, when a person comes into contact with feces contaminated by the virus and subsequently ingests contaminated food or water. Becoming a more common infection in places with poor sanitation.

In addition, norovirus can be transmitted through contact with surfaces contaminated with the virus, as well as direct contact with a sick person. In rare situations, transmission can occur through aerosols released during episodes of vomiting.

In people with weakened immunity, viral shedding in the stool can persist for months after infection, making these people more likely to transmit the virus to others.

Treatments

Usually, norovirus infection is self-limited and the person recovers completely within a few days without the need for specific treatment.

Adequate hydration is essential to prevent dehydration, and medication may be recommended to relieve symptoms such as nausea and abdominal pain.

Since there is no established antiviral treatment to combat norovirus infections, the main approach focuses on preventing and treating the dehydration that can occur as a result of the disease.

To combat dehydration, the focus is on improving managed hydration, usually using liquids. isotonic orally. In severe cases of dehydration, although rare, hospitalization for intravenous fluids may be required.

To relieve symptoms such as headache, myalgia and nausea, analgesics and antipyretics can be used.

Read more: Analgesic and Antipyretic for Colds with Lowest Price | CR

How to make the diagnosis?

The diagnosis of norovirus is based on the person’s recent history of contact with contaminated water and food, as well as with people infected with the virus. In some cases, laboratory tests may be performed to confirm.

Specific laboratory tests that identify the presence of the virus in samples from patients suspected of being infected. The main methods used for the diagnosis of norovirus are:

Quick Tests

Rapid viral antigen detection tests can be performed on patient stool samples to identify the presence of norovirus. These tests are quick and provide results in a short time, which is especially useful in environments where outbreaks are suspected.

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)

It is a highly sensitive and specific molecular technique that amplifies the genetic material of norovirus in stool samples.

The method allows precise identification of the virus and can also be used for genotyping, which is useful in epidemiological studies to understand the origin and spread of norovirus.

In many cases of mild or moderate norovirus infection, specific laboratory diagnosis may not be necessary, as treatment is generally directed at relieving symptoms.

It is important that only qualified healthcare professionals perform these tests to ensure accurate and appropriate results, and to ensure that the patient receives appropriate treatment when needed.

Read more: C-reactive protein (CRP): what does high or low mean?

How to prevent?

It is normal for diseases caused by viruses to have vaccines available, however, so far, there is no vaccine available to prevent norovirus infection. Therefore, personal prevention is essential.

Strict hygiene measures, such as washing hands frequently with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom and before handling food, are essential.

Avoiding close contact with sick people and regularly cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces and objects is also key to reducing the risk of infection.

However, basic sanitation plays a key role in the fight against norovirus and other fecal-oral transmitted infectious diseases. Water treatment, sewage collection and treatment, and proper handling of solid waste are directly linked to the prevalence of these pathologies.

What is the difference between rotavirus and norovirus?

The two are different types of viruses that cause gastrointestinal infections, with some differences in their structure, genetics, and mode of transmission. Rotavirus is usually transmitted via the fecal-oral route, especially through contact with contaminated feces or contaminated objects and surfaces.

Norovirus, on the other hand, can be transmitted by several routes, including ingestion of contaminated food or water, direct contact with infected people, contact with contaminated surfaces and inhalation of aerosols released during episodes of vomiting.

Also differentiating in symptoms, rotavirus is characterized by dehydration and mainly affects children. Norovirus infections affect all age groups, including children and adults

However, prevention of infection by both viruses is based on adequate hygiene measures, such as frequent hand washing, especially after using the bathroom and before handling food.

Overall, norovirus is a pathogen commonly associated with outbreaks of gastrointestinal disease worldwide. Its rapid spread and high contagiousness make public awareness and the adoption of adequate preventive measures essential to prevent the spread of the infection.

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