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Updated May 22, 2007
NOROVIRUSES are a group of viruses that cause “stomach
virus,” “stomach flu,” or viral gastroenteritis.
The viruses are considered highly contagious, often spread person to operson with as few as 10
particles sufficient to infect an individual. The viruses may survive
at temperatures as low as freezing and as high as 60 degrees centigrade. Cases of viral gastroenteritis
due to norovirus can be seen throughout the year.
Symptoms (can last 24-60 hours)
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- abdomincal cramping
- fatigue
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Do not attend school and/or work during acute symptoms;
longer, if you are a food handler.
How You Get Norovirus
Norovirus is contained in stool and vomitus of a sick person and
may be shed for as many as three weeks after symptoms are gone.
The virus enters the mouth of the well person by:
- touching surfaces or objects contaminated with
virus and bringing hand to mouth.
- consuming foods or drinks contaminated with virus.
- direct contact with vomit or stool of ill person
when caring for them.
- drinking after ill person.
- immediate contact with aerosol of vomiting person.
Incubation is 12-48 hours.
Treatment
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Medications |
- Prescription for nausea or vomiting
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for fever
- Loperamide (Immodium) for diarrhea
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| Dietary Modification |
- No dairy or greasy foods
- Initially, clear liquids (Jello, 7-Up, Gatorade)
- Later, chicken broth-based soups, crackers
- Next, applesauce, bananas, dry cereal, other
soft foods
- IV fluids for severe dehydration
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Prevention
- Hand washing is the single most important
activity you can do to prevent getting infected or lessen
the spread of infection.
- If you are well, wash hands after being out in
public, before eating or preparing food, after use of restroom,
and more frequently if caring for someone who is ill.
- If you are ill, frequently wash hands. Launder
clothing and linens in hot water and soap.
- Decontaminate surfaces and objects that have had
contact with the virus using bleach-containing household cleaner.
How to Wash Your Hands
- Wet hands with water, add soap, then rub hands
together at least 15 seconds and rinse with water.
- Dry with paper towel, clean towel, blower, or air
dry.
- Use paper towel to turn off faucet.
- Alcohol-based hand sanitizer may serve as supplement
in between times hands are washed but should not take the place
of soap and water to clean contaminated hands.
For
additional information about norovirus.
By: Mary Bengtson, M.D., Medical Director, NC State
Student Health
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