Winter is the season of high incidence of norovirus infection, and many diarrhea and gastrointestinal colds in winter are caused by norovirus.
What are the common symptoms of norovirus infection?
Norovirus infection mainly causes non-bacterial acute gastroenteritis, especially in winter, and is often referred to as it"Winter vomiting sickness"。And a person can get sick from repeated norovirus infections.
Norovirus mutates rapidly, new variants emerge every 2-3 years, and is highly contagious and rapidly transmissible, making it a major source of sporadic cases and outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Crowd gathering places such as schools, childcare institutions and medical institutions are prone to outbreaks.
The onset of norovirus infection is mainly mild, the most common symptoms are diarrhea and vomiting, followed by nausea, abdominal pain, headache, fever, chills and muscle aches, etc.** diarrhea is common, and vomiting is the main clinical symptom in children. Norovirus is mainly excreted in the feces and vomit of patients.
What are the modes of transmission?
Modes of transmission include human-to-human, food, and water transmission. Human-to-human transmission can be transmitted through the fecal-oral route (including ingestion of aerosols from faeces or vomitus) or indirect contact with an environment contaminated with faeces. Norovirus-contaminated food or beverages, shellfish such as oysters, and raw fruits and vegetables are common foods that cause outbreaks. Contact with norovirus-contaminated objects, followed by hands touching mouths;Direct contact with an infected person, such as caring for a sick person, eating with a sick person, or using the same utensils, can also be infected. The course of the disease is generally 2 to 3 days, and no special ** is required to recover, and there are no sequelae.
How to prevent norovirus infection?
1. Isolate patients infected with norovirus**;
2. Food contaminated with norovirus should be discarded. Textiles (including clothing, towels, tablecloths, and napkins) should be washed quickly and at high temperatures if they are contaminated with vomit or faeces
3. Fruits and vegetables should be carefully washed before eating, and oysters and other shellfish should be eaten after deep processing
4. Maintaining good hand hygiene is the most important and effective measure to prevent norovirus infection and control the spread. It's important to note that disinfectant wipes and hand sanitizer are not a substitute for standard handwashing procedures. Do not touch ready-to-eat food directly with your bare hands;
5. Clean and disinfect the surface contaminated by the patient's vomit or feces with chlorine bleach or other effective disinfectants in a timely mannerImmediately remove and wash contaminated clothing or sheets, etc. Wear rubber or disposable gloves when washing, and wash your hands carefully after washing. Peninsula Morning News, 39 Degrees ** Chief Reporter Huang Fengtong.