What Is Norovirus and How Do You Get It?
Norovirus Illness Can Be Serious
Some people may get severely dehydrated, especially young children, the elderly, and people with other illnesses. Each year, norovirus causes 56,000 to 71,000 hospitalizations and 570 to 800 deaths, mostly in young children and the elderly.Norovirus is a common and very contagious virus. It causes nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Your symptoms may be similar to the stomach flu, but they have a different cause. Norovirus spreads easily through close contact or on contaminated food or surfaces.
How Long Does Norovirus Last?
Norovirus causes an acute illness that commonly lasts 1 to 2 days for most people, although some people may be ill or feel the effects for up to 6 days. After the period of illness your body gradually gets rid of the entire virus.
What Is the Best Cure for Norovirus?
There’s no treatment for norovirus, so you have to let it run its course. You don’t usually need to get medical advice unless there’s a risk of a more serious problem. To help ease your own or your child’s symptoms drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Does Norovirus Go Away on Its Own?
Norovirus infection symptoms usually last 1 to 3 days. Most people recover completely without treatment. However, for some people — especially young children, older adults and people with other medical conditions — vomiting and diarrhea can be severely dehydrating and require medical attention.
Is Norovirus Extremely Contagious?
Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Anyone can get infected and sick with norovirus. You can get norovirus from: Having direct contact with an infected person.
How Serious Is Norovirus?
Norovirus illness can be serious
Some people may get severely dehydrated, especially young children, the elderly, and people with other illnesses. Each year, norovirus causes 56,000 to 71,000 hospitalizations and 570 to 800 deaths, mostly in young children and the elderly.
Is There an Antibiotic for Norovirus?
Antibiotic drugs will not help treat norovirus infections because they fight bacteria, not viruses. Learn more about antibiotics. Drink plenty of liquids to replace fluids that are lost from vomiting and diarrhea. Sports drinks and other drinks without caffeine or alcohol can help with mild dehydration.
What Is the Difference Between Gastroenteritis and Norovirus?
Noroviruses are members of a group of viruses called caliciviruses also known previously as “Norwalk-like viruses.” Norovirus affects the stomach and intestines, causing an illness called gastroenteritis.
What Is Norovirus Mistaken For?
Noroviruses are members of a group of viruses called caliciviruses, known previously as “Norwalk-like viruses.” This infection is often mistakenly referred to as the “stomach flu,” but noroviruses are not related to the flu (influenza), which is a respiratory illness caused by influenza virus.
Who Is Most Affected by Norovirus?
Young children, the elderly, and people with other medical illnesses are most at risk for more severe or prolonged infection. Like all viral infections, noroviruses are not affected by treatment with antibiotics. Norovirus infections spread very rapidly.
What Is the Most Common Source of Norovirus?
Contaminated Food and Water
Norovirus is the most common bug spread through food. People can get sick after they eat at restaurants where cooks or servers don’t wash their hands before they touch your food. You can also get norovirus from raw foods like fruits and veggies grown with water that has infected poop.
What Foods Should You Avoid With Norovirus?
drinks with caffeine, such as coffee and tea, and some soft drinks. foods that are high in fat, such as fried foods, pizza, and fast foods. foods and drinks containing large amounts of simple sugars, such as sweetened beverages and some fruit juices. milk and milk products, which contain the sugar lactose.
