How serious is the Norwalk virus?

Norovirus infection can cause severe dehydration, malnutrition and even death, especially in people who are older or immunocompromised, or in women who are pregnant.

Are Norwalk and norovirus the same thing?

Noroviruses were previously called Norwalk or Norwalk-like viruses. They were named after the original Norwalk strain, which caused an outbreak of gastroenteritis in a school in Norwalk, Ohio in 1968.

How do you get the Norwalk virus?

You can get norovirus by accidentally getting tiny particles of feces (poop) or vomit from an infected person in your mouth. have direct contact with someone who is infected with norovirus, such as by caring for them or sharing food or eating utensils with them.

What does Norwalk virus do to the body?

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus. Norovirus infection causes gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines). This leads to diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Norovirus illness is often called by other names, such as food poisoning and stomach flu.

How do you get viral gastroenteritis?

Viral gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection marked by watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea or vomiting, and sometimes fever. The most common way to develop viral gastroenteritis — often called stomach flu —is through contact with an infected person or by ingesting contaminated food or water.

Is Norwalk virus airborne?

Norovirus Can Go Airborne Through Vomit 19, 2015 (HealthDay News) — When people infected with norovirus vomit, they release virus particles into the air that can infect other people, researchers report.

Who is at risk for Norwalk virus?

Norovirus illness is usually brief in people who are otherwise healthy. Young children, the elderly, and people with other medical illnesses are most at risk for more severe or prolonged infection.

How do you treat Norwalk virus?

Usually, the only treatment is to prevent or treat dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids. Oral rehydration solutions such as Pedialyte may be used. In more severe cases, intravenous fluids may be needed. Antibiotics usually make the situation worse.

Can gastroenteritis last 2 weeks?

Acute infectious gastroenteritis usually resolves within two weeks but severe cases can last several weeks.

What are symptoms of Norwalk virus?

The most common symptoms include nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps. Diarrhea may occasionally accompany vomiting. Fever is usually low grade or absent. Infected people generally recover in one to two days.

Where did the Norwalk virus first come from?

The Norwalk virus, which originated from a school outbreak of nonbacterial gastroenteritis at Norwalk, Ohio, in the USA, was the first virus of the group to be discovered.

What foods are associated with Norwalk virus outbreak?

More than half of the Norwalk outbreaks were associated with eating salads, sandwiches, or fresh produce, and in 40% of Norwalk outbreaks restaurants or caterers were associated. Some outbreaks have been associated with the consumption of raw oysters for reasons described earlier.

What kind of VPg does Norwalk virus have?

However, the genomic sequence of Norwalk virus contains a sequence related to the VPg of other caliciviruses, providing evidence that Norwalk virus RNA does in fact carry a 5′-terminal VPg. Clones of various regions of the viral RNA can be expressed in cultured cells to study the expression and function of various domains.

Which is the best member of the norovirus?

Norwalk virus is the best known member of the noroviruses, and it has made headlines as the cause of outbreaks of gastrointestinal illness on cruise ships.