Epidemic Virus | Alert! The High-Occurrence Season for Norovirus is coming

October to March of each year is the high-occurrence season of norovirus epidemics. According to Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), outbreaks of norovirus disease occur mainly in kindergartens or schools. Travel groups, cruise ships, and holiday centers also often have norovirus disease outbreaks. So what is norovirus? What are the symptoms after infection? How should it be prevented?

Norovirus

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus, and infection with norovirus can lead to sudden onset of severe vomiting and diarrhea. The virus is usually spread by contaminated food and water sources in preparation, or by surfaces of contaminated objects, and intimate contact can also lead to human-to-human transmission of the virus. All age groups are susceptible to be infection, while infections are more common in lower temperatures. Norovirus is often called Norwalk viroid. Post-infection Symptoms Signs and symptoms of Norovirus infection include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain or cramp
• Watery diarrhea
• feeling sick
• low fever
• myalgia

Symptoms usually begin 12 to 48 hours after infection with Norovirus and last 1 to 3 days. Most patients generally recover spontaneously and improve within 1 to 3 days. Following recovery, the virus can continue to be excreted in the patient 's stool for up to two weeks. Some people with norovirus infection do not have any symptoms of infection. However, they remain contagious and can spread the virus to others. Prevention Norovirus infections are highly contagious and can be infected many times. To prevent infection, the following precautionary measures are recommended: Wash hands with soap and water, especially after toileting or changing diapers. Avoid contaminated food and water. Wash fruits and vegetables before eating them. Seafood should be fully cooked. Vomitus and feces should be handled carefully to avoid airborne transmission of norovirus. Disinfect surfaces that may be contaminated. Quarantine in time, symptoms disappear within 3 days, may still be contagious. Seek medical advice in time and reduce going out until the symptoms disappear.