There is no specific medicine to treat it yet! This virus has entered its peak period, please check the prevention and control guide →

Winter is coming

Norovirus enters peak season

at present

There are no effective drugs or vaccines available yet

Scientific prevention and response are particularly important

Let's go with Dr. Ko.

Norovirus, formerly known as Norwalk virus, belongs to the Caliciviridae family and is the main pathogen causing acute gastroenteritis .

Norovirus has strong environmental resistance and can survive in environments ranging from 0℃ to 60℃. It also has the characteristics of low infection dose, short incubation period after infection, long detoxification time, short immune protection time , and is very likely to cause repeated infection and general susceptibility of the entire population . October to March of the following year is the peak season for Norovirus infection in China, and places where people gather, such as schools and childcare institutions, are high-incidence places for Norovirus infection.

In the transmission of Norovirus, both patients and asymptomatic carriers are sources of infection, and the transmission routes are diverse. It can be transmitted through direct contact with patient excretions such as feces or vomit, indirect contact with objects or environments contaminated by excretions, eating or drinking food or water contaminated by Norovirus, and ingestion of aerosols formed when patients vomit or defecate.

The incubation period of Norovirus infection is short , ranging from 12 hours to 72 hours, and symptoms usually develop within 2 days. If you experience any of the following symptoms, do not take medication blindly, but seek medical attention immediately as directed by your doctor:

①Acute gastrointestinal symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea occur.

② Symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches occur.

③The frequency of diarrhea ranges from a few times to dozens of times, and the stool is watery and without pus or blood.

④Children are prone to vomiting symptoms, while adults are more likely to have diarrhea symptoms.

(1)

Keep your hands clean

Before meals, after going to the toilet, before preparing food, and after going out and coming home, you should follow the six-step hand washing method and wash your hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds to effectively prevent the spread of various infectious diseases including norovirus acute gastroenteritis.

(2)

Pay attention to drinking water hygiene and food safety

Drink boiled water or qualified bottled water, and avoid drinking untreated raw water. Wash vegetables and fruits before eating; separate raw and cooked food when cooking and processing food, and use different cutting boards, knives and containers to handle raw and cooked food to avoid cross contamination; ensure that food is cooked thoroughly, especially shellfish and other seafood; when dining out, choose restaurants with good hygiene conditions and high reputation.

(3)

Reduce the risk of transmission

People infected with norovirus should stay at home to isolate and rest to reduce the risk of transmission. It is recommended that non-hospitalized patients stay at home for at least 72 hours after the symptoms disappear. During this period, patients should maintain personal hygiene and reduce close contact with others. In particular, they should avoid cooking or caring for other elderly people and children, and should eat and rest alone. People working in special positions, such as chefs and babysitters, should not return to work until fecal detoxification is completed.

(4)

Clean and disinfect

Do a good job of daily cleaning and ventilation in the room, and regularly disinfect high-touch surfaces and key areas such as toilets; ensure the cleanliness of the kitchen and tableware, dispose of garbage in a timely manner, and keep it clean and tidy. When family members show symptoms of gastroenteritis, their excrement and vomitus should be handled in a standardized manner and contaminated items and surfaces should be thoroughly disinfected with chlorine-containing disinfectants. At the same time, high-touch points in the home such as door handles and toilets should be disinfected regularly.

(5)

Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, and maintain moderate exercise to enhance your body's resistance and prevent infection.

Facing the peak period of norovirus

We don't need to panic

But we can't take it lightly

Start with the little things in life

Scientific prevention and control

Use a healthy lifestyle

Build a line of defense against viruses!

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Source: People's Daily Health, China Center for Disease Control and Prevention, CCTV News.

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