How can adults prevent the Norovirus, a "troublemaker" in the intestine? Please keep this guide!

Recently, a 70-year-old grandmother was admitted to the Department of Gastroenterology at Hunan Want Want Hospital due to diarrhea for 7 days, 6-8 times a day of brown pectin-like stools and general fatigue. The "troublemaker" was diagnosed as Norovirus. After symptomatic supportive treatment such as stomach protection, fluid replacement, and diarrhea relief, the grandmother's condition improved.

Norovirus is a well-known "troublemaker" in our intestines! Although this virus is small in size, it is very dangerous. If you are not careful, it can cause vomiting and diarrhea, and even the whole family will suffer.

Today, a gastroenterologist from Hunan Want Want Hospital will introduce you to this "little devil" and see how to prevent it.

1. What is the origin of Norovirus?

Norovirus, formerly known as Norwalk virus, is the most common "culprit" causing acute gastroenteritis. It is like a "Transformer", mutating into a new "version" every few years, making it difficult to guard against. This virus is particularly "hardy", not afraid of cold or heat, and can survive at 0℃ to 60℃, even on the surface of objects for two weeks, and can stay in water for two months.

2. Why are adults also infected with norovirus?

1. Food and water: If you accidentally ingest water or food contaminated with norovirus, it may be transmitted through the digestive tract and cause norovirus infection.

2. Contact transmission: If you have close contact with a Norovirus infected person or come into contact with the infected person's vomit, feces and other secretions, and then touch your mouth, nose, eyes and other parts, it may also cause infection. For example: if you use a public toilet and do not flush it cleanly, or if an infected person touches a door handle that an infected person has touched, you may be infected.

3. Highly contagious. Norovirus can infect people from one person to ten, and from ten to a hundred. Just a small amount of the virus can infect people. If not handled properly, the virus will spread like "fireworks."

3. What are the symptoms of infection in adults?

When an adult is "targeted" by the norovirus, they usually have diarrhea (running to the toilet several times a day, and their stool is like water). The stomach will also gurgle and gurgle, accompanied by pain, as if there is a small drum beating in the stomach.

In addition to gastrointestinal discomfort, many adults also feel weak all over and have a low fever, with the body temperature generally around 38°C. They may also have headaches, vomiting, and muscle aches. The whole person feels as if all their energy has been drained away and they don't want to do anything.

4. How to prevent Norovirus?

1. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly. Rub your hands with hand sanitizer for more than 15 seconds before meals, after defecation, and before handling food. Don't be lazy!

2. Keep food safety in mind. Do not drink raw water, wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, and cook seafood (especially oysters) thoroughly before eating.

3. If there is a patient at home, keep the dishes and towels separate, and wipe the toilet with disinfectant every day. When handling vomit, wear gloves and masks, cover the dirt with high-concentration chlorine-containing disinfectant (5000-10000mg/L), let it stand for 30 minutes, and then clean it. After the patient's symptoms disappear, they must be isolated for 2 days to avoid infection.

Hunan Want Want Hospital's Gastroenterology Department kindly reminds you : Although the Norovirus is annoying, as long as we control our hands and mouths and do a good job of disinfection, we can make it nowhere to hide! If you are "infected", don't panic. Remember to self-isolate, drink plenty of water, take rehydration salts and eat a light and easily digestible diet. Most people can recover in 3-5 days. If there are elderly people or children at home, or if the symptoms are serious, remember to seek medical attention in time!

Reference: "Hospital Infection" 2nd Edition

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Xia Yanzhu, Ward 12, Hunan Want Want Hospital Photo/Wang Rui

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(Edited by YT)