Norovirus: Symptoms, causes & effective treatment options

Few illnesses are as miserable as a stomach bug. The combination of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea can leave you feeling exhausted and wrung out for days. Most stomach bugs are caused by norovirus, a common and highly contagious virus. The good news is that it’s possible to prevent norovirus so you can avoid getting this seasonal illness.

What is Norovirus?

Norovirus is a group of viruses most prevalent during the colder months. All the norovirus varieties cause gastroenteritis, a temporary inflammation of the stomach and intestines. This inflammation leads to vomiting and diarrhea, which are characteristic of norovirus.

Noroviruses are highly contagious. It’s not unusual to see multiple students in a classroom or members of a household all come down with the illness in rapid succession. That’s because the virus passes easily between people who are in close contact with each other. Parents may contract the virus while caring for a child who has it, particularly if they are cleaning up the child’s vomit or feces.

Norovirus can live on surfaces for up to two weeks. You can catch norovirus by touching an infected surface and then touching your mouth or nose. Eating or drinking contaminated foods or beverages can also cause norovirus.

Norovirus symptoms

While norovirus is sometimes called the “stomach flu,” it’s not related to influenza, which is the virus that causes the flu. Influenza is a respiratory illness that causes fever, body aches, coughing, and congestion. Norovirus affects the digestive tract. The most common symptoms of norovirus include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach pain

Some people also have headaches, fever, body aches, and fatigue.

How long does Norovirus last?

The best news about norovirus is that it usually doesn’t last very long. Most people only have symptoms for 1 to 3 days. The norovirus incubation period is 12 to 48 hours between exposure and the onset of symptoms.

You will be contagious while you have symptoms. In addition, you can spread norovirus to others while you have symptoms and for several days afterward.

Norovirus treatment

The only treatment for norovirus is time. The symptoms usually get better within a few days. Since it’s a viral illness, antibiotics won’t help, and there aren’t any other prescription medications available. The best thing to do is to rest, drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, and eat bland foods like bananas, rice, or plain toast when you feel ready to eat again.

You may get relief from the worst of your symptoms by taking over-the-counter anti-diarrheal or anti-nausea medications. Check with a medical professional to make sure it’s safe for you to use those medications.

How to prevent Norovirus

You can reduce your risk of catching norovirus by washing your hands often and thoroughly. Soap and water will remove the virus from hands — alcohol-based hand sanitizer is less effective.

Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces are also helpful. The virus can remain on hard surfaces, including door knobs, light switches, and faucet handles. It’s critical to disinfect bathroom surfaces after a person with norovirus uses it. Wash clothing, towels, and bedding to remove any traces of virus that may have contaminated the fabric.

When to call a medical professional for Norovirus

Norovirus can cause severe dehydration, particularly in children, older adults, or people with underlying health concerns. Dehydration can lead to serious complications and may require IV fluid or other care.

Signs of dehydration include:

• Decreased urination
• Dark urine
• Dry mouth
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Not producing tears

If you are concerned about dehydration or have questions about other norovirus symptoms, the medical professionals at an urgent care center can help. To get in touch with a caring professional, find a walk-in urgent care in your neighborhood.

Sources:

1.       https://www.nfid.org/infectious-disease/norovirus/

2.       https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17703-norovirus

3.       https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/about/index.html