Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea?
Norovirus is on the hot search again?
What exactly is norovirus?
How can we prevent it?
Don't be careless when you are "entangled" by Noro
In severe cases, it can even die from dehydration
The disease caused by norovirus is called norovirus infectious diarrhea.
More precisely, its symptoms should be "vomiting and diarrhea".
- Children: Vomiting predominantly
- Adults: diarrhea is common
There is no specific drug for norovirus, and there is no vaccine to prevent it. However, it is a self-limiting disease.
What does it mean? In layman's terms, it can heal itself. Generally, it will slowly improve in 2 to 3 days and recover on its own.
But! Don't think that this is something to be taken lightly.
Highlights: If there is frequent vomiting or diarrhea, very few patients will develop severe disease or even death due to dehydration!
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Especially for frail groups such as children and the elderly, once they are "entangled" by Noro, they must wake up their spirits, and if these symptoms appear-
- adults: oliguria, dry mouth, dry throat, feeling lightheaded when standing;
- Young children: anterior fontanelle and eye sockets are sunken, only crying without tears, unusual drowsiness or irritability.
Most likely, it's dehydrated! Be sure to seek medical attention at the hospital right away.
More contagious than the "new crown".
Alcohol, hand sanitizer is fine
When it comes to norovirus, especially mothers and fathers who have babies at home, they are all like great enemies, because its vitality and combat effectiveness are really too strong-
01. Extremely contagious
✎ A little bit can make people trick
With a very small viral load, usually as few as 10 virions, it can be contagious!
The amount of virus in such a large place as the nail head can infect more than 1,000 people.
And when a person is infected, billions of viruses can be excreted at a time!
✎ Don't pick people yet
Do not let go of people of any age, especially the elderly and young children with weak immunity.
✎ Can quickly push down a piece
I always like to be in a crowded place such as a school.
02. There are many ways to get infected
Eating or drinking food or water contaminated with norovirus
Eat without washing your hands after touching an object contaminated with norovirus
Have been in contact with a patient with norovirus infection
Breathe in polluted air (aerosols from feces or vomitus) in an unventilated room with the person
03. Strong "resistance".
Noro's resistance to harsh environments is strong, it can withstand low temperatures and acids, and it is not easy to kill.
The key is still a hydrophilic virus, which cannot be killed by 75% alcohol.
So wiping your hands with quick-drying hand sanitizer or alcohol wipes won't turn you away.
04. It is easy to mistake it for "food poisoning"
Norovirus is often mistaken for "food poisoning" or "gastrointestinal cold". In fact, any food that has not been cooked or processed can be contaminated with norovirus.
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Norovirus prevention and control strategy!
How is the infection treated?
Norovirus gastroenteritis is generally acute onset and is a self-limiting disease, and most patients can recover 2~3 days after the onset of the disease. However, recovery is slower in older people and patients with underlying medical conditions. At present, there is no vaccine or specific drug, and treatment is mainly symptomatic or supportive.
Q
Does taking antibiotics work?
A: There is no specific treatment for norovirus, antibiotics can only kill bacteria, not norovirus. What we can do is mainly to treat symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea symptomatically and improve discomfort.
Q
Will it get better in 1-3 days without seeing a doctor?
A: Not necessarily! For example, infants, young children, the elderly, pregnant women, and people with underlying medical conditions may develop severe illness and need to be closely monitored during illness.
If symptoms of dehydration occur (mainly oliguria, dry mouth, dry throat, lightheadedness when standing, and in children crying without tears, unusual drowsiness, or irritability), medical attention should be taken immediately.
Q
What should I do at home after being infected?
A:
●After diagnosis, you should isolate at home for three days from the time you become ill until your symptoms disappear completely to avoid transmission to others
●Frequent ventilation should be done by opening windows to maintain indoor air circulation
●Try not to have close contact with family members while staying at home
●Use your own eating utensils and other daily necessities, keep them away from the kitchen, and do not process food
●It is best to arrange a separate toilet
Prevention is a priority
01
Wash your hands Wash your hands or wash your hands!
Wash your hands, pay attention to one before and one after the other - "before preparing food, before eating, before taking care of infants and young children, etc."; "After going to the toilet, after going home, after being exposed to pollutants, etc." Practice hand hygiene at all times! It is recommended to wash your hands properly according to the 7-step handwashing method, washing with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds.
02
Wash in place
Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, distinguish between raw and cooked utensils when cooking, and cook shellfish and seafood thoroughly.
03
Do a good job of daily disinfection
Kindergartens, primary and secondary schools should pay attention to the usual daily cleaning and disinfection, and teachers and cleaning personnel should promptly discover suspicious vomit and diarrhea and deal with them in accordance with standardized operating procedures. If a child or student has vomiting or diarrhea, they should take the initiative to report it to the doctor or health teacher. Strengthen the health management of canteen employees and strictly ensure food hygiene.
Source: Yulin First Hospital