Norovirus: From signs to therapy, all you want to know

Amid the pandemic, the UK not too long ago reported new instances of norovirus – one other viral outbreak. According to Public Health England (PHE), there have been 154 instances of norovirus.

We spoke to Dr Manoj Sharma, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Fortis Hospital Vasant Kunj to know extra about norovirus an infection, its causes and signs.

What is norovirus and what are its causes?

“It is a highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis – nausea, vomiting and diarrhea,” says Dr. Sharma. The mode of transmission is thru the fecal-oral route, which suggests one can turn out to be contaminated if one is available in contact with contaminated meals, water or bowel actions.

It also can dwell on surfaces, Dr Sharma mentioned. “If hand hygiene is not maintained properly, it can increase the chances of spreading the infection.”

Norovirus is a priority particularly in monsoons because the water high quality in our properties will not be good. “If the water is contaminated, it can affect the people in the house. Also, if someone infected with norovirus is cooking, they can potentially infect others,” mentioned the physician.

How is it handled?

With viral gastroenteritis, therapy is all symptomatic and supportive. “So antibiotics play no role. It is mainly about maintaining hydration containing ORS. Viral gastroenteritis lasts five to six days or can last longer. Preventing dehydration is the key,” Dr Sharma says

The physician says that the easiest way to forestall an infection is to take care of good requirements of hygiene.

How are norovirus and coronavirus completely different?

While COVID is transmitted via the air, norovirus is transmitted in an orofacial method. “We have to ingest, only then the virus will reach inside the body. While maintaining hand hygiene is important in both cases, masking is primarily for COVID. This is because the route of transmission is different in each case,” explains Dr Sharma.