Noroviruses – Kalicivirusy – Viral gastroenteritis
Description Norovirus infection
Noroviruses are a group of viruses. They cause inflammation of the stomach and intestine. This condition is often called gastroenteritis or stomach upset. Noroviruses are cause of disease and often lead to outbreaks of stomach infections. Outbreaks usually occur in the following locations:
- Children's health camps;
- Restaurants;
- Nursing home;
- Hospital;
- Any other place, where the virus can spread quickly to a large group of people.
Causes Norovirus infection
These viruses are highly contagious. They are spread through contaminated food and water.
Infection can occur as a result of pollution:
- Waterpipe, natural reservoirs, swimming pools, wells, through other sources;
- Uprotrebleniya raw (or improperly treated) clams and oysters;
- Food and drinks (in connection with an infected personnel, who either do not wash their hands or wash properly after using the toilet).
Viruses can spread by direct contact with an ill person, for example, in kindergarten or hospital. The products are also a major source of infection noroviruses.
Risk factors for infection noroviruses
Factors, which increase the probability of infection noroviruses:
- Age: It is more common in adults and children, than young people;
- Being in the contaminated water (eg, in the river or lake);
- Receiving contaminated foods or liquids;
- Touching contaminated surfaces;
- Contacts with carriers of the virus (eg, in a nursing home or daycare).
If a person is cured of noroviruses, within two years, he is exposed to increased risk of re-infection.
Symptoms of Norovirus
The presence of the following symptoms are not always indicative of Norovirus infection. These symptoms may be caused by other factors:
- Nausea;
- Vomiting: infitsirovanngo person may vomit often (sometimes without warning) in one day;
- Diarrhea;
- Abdominal pain;
- Headache;
- A slight rise in temperature;
- Chills;
- Muscle aches;
- Fatigue;
- Dehydration;
- This may require medical attention, especially in children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems;
- Prevent dehydration, drinking plenty of fluids, including water and juices.
After exposure to the virus, Symptoms usually appear within 24-48 hours. Soreness may last for 12 hours. Symptoms often last about 24-60 hours.
Treatment noroviruses
Currently there are no known treatments noroviruses. Because gastroenteritis is caused by a virus, Antibiotics have no effect on it.
The only complication is dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea. In certain groups of people, this may require a hospital stay to replenish fluids.
Prevention of infection noroviruses
Noroviruses can survive the heat and cold. The virus can also live in chlorinated tap water.
To reduce the chance of contracting Norovirus, you must take the following steps:
- You should thoroughly wash their hands after using the toilet (or changing diapers). This is very important before eating or eating. Alcohol does not kill norovirus. Soap and water are much more effective means;
- It is necessary to wash fruits and vegetables before eating;
- You can not prepare food, if there are symptoms of infection. You have to wait three days to, how to start to work again with food;
- If the infection is necessary to clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces and objects;
- In the presence of the disease not to go to work. This will not transmit the virus to others;
- To reduce the spread of the virus, patients should be isolated.
