Sudden vomiting and diarrhea? Learn about Norovirus!

Have you or someone in your family suddenly started vomiting and having diarrhea? Perhaps with a fever and body aches. These types of 'stomach upset' are very common these days. The main cause of this can be a very contagious virus called Norovirus. Today, we will talk about this simply, in a way that you can understand.

What exactly is Norovirus?

Simply put, Norovirus is a group of viruses. When this virus enters the body, it infects and inflames our stomach and intestines. In medical terms, we call this condition gastroenteritis . This is what causes us severe vomiting and diarrhea.

Many people call it the "stomach flu." But it's actually a completely different virus, not related to the common cold or influenza virus, which causes fever. Norovirus is a very common virus that spreads throughout the world, especially in colder climates. It's actually one of the most common foodborne illnesses. There are many different strains of this virus. That's why a person can get it multiple times in their lifetime.

What are these symptoms?

Symptoms of norovirus infection usually begin to appear between 12 and 48 hours after exposure to the virus. These symptoms can usually last from one to three days . Let's take a look at what these symptoms are.

Although symptoms are generally similar in adults and children, there may be slight differences. Children may experience more vomiting , while adults may experience more diarrhea .

How does Norovirus infect us?

This is the most important part. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus. That means it spreads very easily from one person to another. Imagine, an infected person's body releases billions of particles of this virus into the environment. Even a very small amount of them could make someone else sick.

There are three main ways this is transmitted:

• Close contact with an infected person: You can easily become infected when you are caring for or being with someone who is sick.
• Touching a surface contaminated with the virus: If you touch a surface such as a doorknob, tap, or table that has been touched by an infected person and then touch your mouth, nose, or eyes with that dirty hand, the virus can enter your body.
• Contaminated food or water: It can be spread by eating food prepared by someone who has the virus, or by drinking water that has been contaminated with the virus. It can also be spread through undercooked seafood, especially shellfish.

The most dangerous thing - Dehydration

The most dangerous complication of norovirus is dehydration. This means that the amount of water and salts in the body decreases to a dangerous level. When you continue to vomit and have diarrhea, all the water in your body is lost. This is especially dangerous for young children and the elderly.

Recognizing the signs of dehydration early can help save lives.

What should we do? Treatment and home management

There is no specific medicine yet to kill the norovirus virus. This means that taking antibiotics has no effect on it. The treatment we do is to control the symptoms and prevent dehydration.

Here are some things you can do at home:

• Drink plenty of water and fluids: This is the most important thing. It is much better to drink things that contain the necessary salts for the body than just water. Drink things like Jeevani, orange water, salty porridge, soups .
• Get plenty of rest: Your body needs energy to fight this virus. So get plenty of sleep and rest.
• Eat light meals: Avoid eating spicy, oily foods when you have an upset stomach. Eat light, non-oily foods like rice, bread, boiled potatoes, and curd rice in small portions.
• Don't eat or drink too much at once: Eating or drinking too much at once can cause vomiting. So eat and drink small amounts frequently throughout the day.

How to protect yourself from Norovirus?

The best way to avoid this is cleanliness. Let's see what we need to do.

When should I see a doctor?

Although this illness usually resolves within a few days, in some cases it is essential to seek medical advice. If you have the following symptoms, you should definitely see a doctor .

• If you can't eat or drink anything , or if you keep vomiting even after drinking.
• If you are experiencing the symptoms of dehydration we discussed above (such as very little urination, extreme dizziness).
• If symptoms persist for more than three days .
• If you have a high fever or severe stomach pain .
• If the infected person is a young child, an elderly person , or someone with other serious medical conditions (such as diabetes or kidney disease).

Norovirus, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache, dehydration, gastroenteritis, infectious diseases