Norovirus: Know it and prevent it!

Norovirus mutates quickly, has strong environmental resistance, low infection dose, short incubation period after infection, long detoxification time, short immune protection time, and diverse transmission routes. People around the world are generally susceptible to it. Therefore, Norovirus is highly contagious and can spread quickly. The main symptoms of Norovirus are diarrhea and /or vomiting, which are collectively referred to as acute gastroenteritis internationally. Norovirus is the main cause of sporadic cases and outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. It often breaks out in crowded places such as schools, kindergartens, and nursing homes, so it has attracted much attention.

1. What is Norovirus?

Norovirus, also known as Norwalk virus, is a virus that causes acute gastroenteritis . In 1968, an acute gastroenteritis outbreak occurred in a primary school in Norwalk, USA. In 1972, scientists such as Kapikian found a virus particle with a diameter of about 27nm in the feces of patients in this outbreak, and named it Norwalk virus. Since then, various virus particles with similar morphology but slightly different antigenicity have been isolated from the feces of patients with acute gastroenteritis in various parts of the world, collectively known as Norwalk-like viruses. Because this virus is round, has no envelope, and has a smooth surface, it is also called a small round structure virus. In 1992, the full genome sequence of Norwalk virus was resolved, and Norwalk virus was classified as a Circoviridae. In August 2002, the 8th International Committee on Nomenclature of Viruses unified the change of Norwalk-like virus to Norovirus, and it became an independent genus of Caliciviridae, the genus Norovirus.

2. How is Norovirus transmitted?

Norovirus can be transmitted in a variety of ways, mainly through the fecal-oral route, that is, after the virus contaminates food, water or the environment, people are infected by ingesting these contaminated items. In addition, it can also be transmitted through direct contact between people, for example: the aerosol produced when the patient vomits can also cause infection to others.

3. What are the symptoms of infection with Norovirus?

After being infected with norovirus, patients usually develop symptoms within 12-48 hours, the most common symptoms being diarrhea and vomiting, which may also be accompanied by nausea, abdominal pain, fever, headache, etc. Most patients' symptoms will resolve on their own within 2-3 days, but a few patients may develop severe symptoms.

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4. How to prevent Norovirus?

The key to preventing norovirus is to maintain good personal hygiene and food hygiene. Specifically, we can do the following:

Wash your hands frequently, especially before handling food, after going to the toilet, and after touching public items. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water.

Drink boiled water, do not eat raw or cold food, especially shellfish, which must be cooked thoroughly.

Keep indoor air circulating and open windows for ventilation regularly.

If you experience symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea, you should seek medical attention immediately and avoid close contact with others to prevent infection.

Use chlorine bleach or other effective chlorine disinfectants to wipe and disinfect objects or surfaces contaminated by the patient's vomit or feces in a timely manner, and immediately wash contaminated clothing or sheets, etc. When handling vomit or diarrhea, disinfecting or washing contaminated objects, wear rubber or disposable gloves and medical surgical masks, and then wash your hands carefully with soap or hand sanitizer.

In general, although norovirus is terrible, as long as we master the correct prevention and treatment methods, we can effectively prevent its spread. Let us act together and be responsible for the health of ourselves and our families!