Noroviruses are a group of viruses (previously known as Norwalk-like viruses) that can cause gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illness outbreaks in Minnesota.
This infection is often mistakenly referred to as the “stomach flu”. Norovirus is not related to the flu (influenza), which is a common respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus.
What are the symptoms?
Common symptoms of norovirus infection include vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping. Less common symptoms can include low-grade fever or chills, headache, and muscle aches. Symptoms usually begin 1 or 2 days after ingesting the virus, but may appear as early as 12 hours after exposure. The illness typically comes on suddenly. The infected person may feel very sick and vomit often, sometimes without warning, many times a day. Sometimes people infected with norovirus have no symptoms at all, but can still pass the virus to others.
Most people recover in 1 or 2 days and have no long-term health effects. Dehydration can be a concern in the very young, the elderly, or people with weakened immune systems. Occasionally infected people may experience milder symptoms for a week or more.
How is it spread?
Noroviruses are very contagious. They are found in the stool (feces) or vomit of infected people. From there, noroviruses are transferred to food, water, or surfaces by the hands of infected people who have not washed adequately after using the bathroom.
People become infected with norovirus by:
Eating food or drinking liquids contaminated by an infected person.
Eating uncooked shellfish that has been harvested from contaminated waters.
Touching contaminated surfaces or objects and then touching their mouth or eating without washing their hands first.
What should I do if I have symptoms?
Drink plenty of fluids so you don’t become dehydrated.
Wash your hands often and do not prepare food for others.
Contact your health care provider (but remember that antibiotics don’t treat viruses).
How can I prevent norovirus infections?
Wash your hands with warm, soapy water for 20 seconds
After using the bathroom
After changing diapers
Before preparing foods
Before eating
Wash your hands more often when someone in your household is sick.
Clean and disinfect surfaces with a household bleach solution immediately after vomiting or diarrheal accidents.
Steam oysters before eating them.
Avoid preparing food for others while you have symptoms and for at least 3 days after you recover.
To report a suspected foodborne illness, call the Minnesota Department of Health Foodborne Illness Hotline at 1-877-FOOD-ILL (or 651-201-5655 from the Twin Cities).
What are the symptoms? Common symptoms of norovirus infection
norovirus infection
Norovirus is also sometimes called viral gastroenteritis, food poisoning, and calicivirus. Norovirus infection causes gastroenteritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach and the small and large intestines. Norovirus is by far the leading cause of foodborne illness outbreaks in Minnesota and the rest of the U.S.
include vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping. Less common symptoms can include low-grade fever or chills, headache, and muscle aches. Symptoms usually begin 1 or 2 days after ingesting the virus, but may appear as early as 12 hours after exposure.
Norovirus infection is usually diagnosed based on your symptoms, but noroviruses can be identified from a stool sample. If you have a weakened immune system or have other medical conditions, your health care provider might recommend a stool test to confirm the presence of norovirus.
Norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea, and foodborne illness in the United States. People of all ages can get infected and sick with norovirus, which spreads very easily and quickly.
Outbreaks surged this winter after the holidays, but cases of the nasty virus are spiking in parts of the country. Respiratory virus season may winding down as the U.S. enters spring, but the 2023–2024 norovirus season is still underway.
Norovirus symptoms are usually sudden and harsh. You'll likely be throwing up (vomiting) or having diarrhea for a few days until the infection runs its course. The thought of eating or drinking can be nauseating.
Rotavirus mostly affects children, while norovirus can affect people of any age. The symptoms of norovirus tend to pass quicker (between one and three days) than rotavirus, which lasts between three and eight days.
Most norovirus outbreaks in the United States happen from November to April. In years when there is a new strain of the virus, there can be 50% more norovirus illness. Each year in the United States, norovirus causes on average: 900 deaths, mostly among adults aged 65 and older.
Garcia: So you can usually tell if you've been infected with norovirus pretty quickly. That symptom onset is typically pretty sudden. It can include nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, vomiting, as well as fever headache and body aches.
Norovirus is the leading cause of outbreaks from contaminated food in the United States. About 50% of all outbreaks of food-related illness are caused by norovirus. Most of these outbreaks occur in food service settings like restaurants.
The illness is usually brief, with symptoms lasting only 1 or 2 days. How serious is norovirus disease? Norovirus disease is usually not serious, but people may feel very sick. Most people get better within 1 or 2 days, and have no long-term health effects from the illness.
The incubation period is 12–48 hours. Other symptoms include abdominal cramps, nausea, and sometimes a low-grade fever. Illness is generally self-limited, and most patients fully recover in 1–3 days. In some cases, especially among the very young or elderly, dehydration can occur and require medical attention.
Although there is a short period of time (likely a few months) immediately following infection with Norovirus that a person is protected from reinfection, it is only a temporary protection.
To disinfect, you should use a chlorine bleach solution with a concentration of 1,000 to 5,000 ppm (5 to 25 tablespoons of household bleach [5% to 8%] per gallon of water) or use an EPA-registered disinfecting product against norovirus.
During Aug. 1, 2023 to April 9, 2024, there were 1,208 norovirus outbreaks reported by the 15 states participating in the CDC's NoroSTAT surveillance program. During the same period the last seasonal year, 986 norovirus outbreaks were reported by these states.
Is norovirus airborne? Norovirus is most commonly spread by direct contact with contaminated feces or vomit. However, airborne transmission of viral particles has been reported. More than 30 million norovirus particles can be spread throughout the air during an episode of vomiting.
Ideally, stool specimens should be collected within 48-72 hours of diarrhea onset. However, norovirus can sometimes be detected up to 7-10 days after diarrhea onset.
Norovirus and rotavirus share many similarities. They cause many of the same symptoms, affect people of any age, and have a similar duration of symptoms. Often, the only means of diagnosis is through a stool sample test.
If you have norovirus illness, you should drink plenty of liquids to replace fluid lost from vomiting and diarrhea. This will help prevent dehydration. Sports drinks and other drinks without caffeine or alcohol can help with mild dehydration. However, these drinks may not replace important nutrients and minerals.
Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Anyone can get infected and sick with norovirus. Norovirus is sometimes called the “stomach flu” or “stomach bug”. However, norovirus illness is not related to the flu, which is caused by influenza virus.
Introduction: My name is Van Hayes, I am a thankful, friendly, smiling, calm, powerful, fine, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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