Noroviruses are quite common viruses. They cause food poisoning, commonly called enteritis or dirty hands disease, incorrectly called stomach flu. Typical symptoms include: abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting. Infection occurs very easily, including through the digestive tract. The disease has a rapid course and can lead to rapid dehydration. In such cases, the patient may even require hospitalization.
Fot. Choi Nikolai/Adobe Stock
“Food poisoning is usually associated with large crowds of people, which is why we most often see an increase in illnesses during holidays in resorts, around holidays and other celebrations when people gather in larger groups, which facilitates the spread of viruses. Places that facilitate the spread of infections and where they most often occur are schools, hospitals, and social welfare homes,” explains Prof. Iwona Paradowska-Stankiewicz from the National Institute of Public Health-PZH-PIB.
Norovirus – attacks quickly
Symptoms of poisoning can usually appear within the first or second day of contact with the virus. They include abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. They usually go away after one to three days, sometimes lasting longer and requiring hospital intervention.
“It should be remembered that viruses are excreted from the body after the symptoms of the disease have subsided and such people are still a source of infection,” notes Prof. Iwona Paradowska-Stankiewicz in information posted on the institute’s website.
How do we get infected with norovirus?
The Chief Sanitary Inspector reminds that the routes of infection are:
- direct or indirect contact with an infected person or their excretions (contact with contaminated surfaces or objects, e.g. toilet, underwear, furniture, in the patient’s environment)
- consumption of food or water contaminated with noroviruses (oral route)
- inhalation of airborne virus particles, e.g. from the vomit of a sick person.
Who are noroviruses dangerous for?
Experts emphasize that noroviruses are dangerous to a certain group of patients.
– Noroviruses are dangerous for small children, people with weakened immunity and the elderly, especially when the poisoning is combined with other co-occurring diseases. Rapid dehydration of the body can occur. That is why sometimes the patient ends up in hospital. They are treated symptomatically. They are hydrated and electrolytes are given – explains Prof. Anna Zajkowska, a specialist in infectious diseases, epidemiology and public health, deputy head of the Clinic of Infectious and Neuroinfectious Diseases of the Medical University of Białystok.
He adds that food poisoning is a fairly common condition. That is why it is so important to maintain personal hygiene – frequent hand washing, as well as hygiene when preparing meals, disinfecting places.
By the way, Prof. Iwona Paradowska-Stankiewicz points out that the use of the term “stomach flu” in the context of foodborne infections is not justified. Why?
“Many microorganisms can cause foodborne infections: bacteria, parasites, fungi, and above all viruses: including astroviruses, adenoviruses, enteroviruses, and of course noroviruses. It should be emphasized, however, that the cause of foodborne infections is definitely not influenza viruses,” he sums up.
Klaudia Torchała, zdrowie.pap.pl
Sources:
Characteristics of norovirus infections
GIS information on noroviruses
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