Cases norovirus pursue emergency departments from many medical centers, both in Spain and in other countries. Even though this is the time of respiratory viruses, this digestive virus seems to be almost at the same level as the flu, which is also reaching its maximum peaks. We all know how to detect and prevent the flu, although we don’t always do it. However, norovirus is much more unknown. How is it concluded? How long does it last? Are there ways to avoid this?
When we first hear his name, many questions arise. Although this may not be the first event, because it should be very clear that This is not a new virus. This virus was discovered in 1972 in an American kindergarten. Since then, there have been numerous outbreaks around the world. First of all, it is common in places where large numbers of people gather. In fact, there are those who know him as cruise diarrhea because these are the places where it is quite common. This is also common in health or senior centers and sometimes outbreaks can occur among people who ate in the same establishment where adequate hygiene measures were not observed.
However, there are times when cases are much more common. That’s what’s happening now. Most patients with norovirus do not know how they got it. If this is not possible, we should at least know how to detect and prevent it. We tell you what you should know about it.
How to detect norovirus?
Before we dive into information about norovirus, there is some important information that we need to take into account, namely: This is not just one virus.. Something similar happens to what happens to corona virus. We treat it as if it were one virus, even though the family includes many species. COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV 2, but there are many other coronaviruses.
In the case of noroviruses, it is a genus that includes several different viruses. The most common is the type called Norwalk virus. In turn, there are several genogroups, but the most affecting humans are G1 and G2. However, we will continue to refer to the cause of the current outbreak as a whole as norovirus.
Symptoms of norovirus are similar to those of gastroenteritis, especially abdominal pain, diarrhea and nausea. However, you can also experience influenza-like illnesswith symptoms such as muscle pain, headache, fatigue and fever.
Symptoms usually last for a few days 2 or 3 days and they transfer the money themselves. However, in vulnerable patients such as children, the elderly or people with pre-existing conditions, dehydration dangerous. In any case, if you are in doubt, you should always consult your doctor, especially to find the best treatment for your symptoms. And, in fact, There is no antiviral drug that can cure norovirus.but every symptom can be treated and, above all, dehydration can be prevented.
What is the best way to prevent this?
As with other digestive viruses, the route of transmission of norovirus oral-fecal. This means that the virus is found in feces and is transmitted through the mouth. People usually become infected by eating contaminated food and drinks or by having very close contact with infected people.
It is not spread through breathing like the flu, but is spread, for example, by sharing cutlery or any other item that may be contaminated. Or, in the case of babies, it’s very easy for people who They change diapers.
It is very important to avoid infection wash your hands. If an infected person does not wash their hands after using the toilet and then shakes hands with another person, and the other person does not wash their hands before eating, infection is virtually guaranteed. Far fewer people wash their hands than we think. But even if they are washed, there is one important factor to consider. And norovirus It’s very contagious. About 10 viral particles are enough to cause infection. There may be millions of such particles in a patient’s stool. Hands are washed but not disinfected, so they can easily retain enough particles to become infected. Therefore, in addition to hand washing hydroalcoholic gel might be a good idea.
It is also important to thoroughly wash the underwear and sheets of infected people. Shaking clothing should be avoided as viruses can be transmitted through the air. It is also important to flush the toilet with the toilet lid closed. And, of course, the infected person should not cook for other people until 3 days after symptoms disappear.
All this is important for preventing norovirus. But if we do become infected, we must remember that the most important thing is hydration. This can happen at any time, but especially if we become infected with such a virus.
Source: Hiper Textual
