What are the main symptoms of norovirus infection. How is norovirus transmitted. What are effective treatments for norovirus. How can you prevent the spread of norovirus.

Understanding Norovirus: The Common Culprit Behind Stomach Flu

Norovirus, often referred to as the “stomach flu,” is a highly contagious viral infection that affects millions of people worldwide each year. Despite its common name, it’s not related to influenza, which primarily affects the respiratory system. Instead, norovirus targets the gastrointestinal tract, causing a range of uncomfortable symptoms.

Why is norovirus so prevalent? Its ability to spread rapidly through various means, including contaminated food, water, and person-to-person contact, makes it a formidable foe in public health. Understanding this virus is crucial for effective prevention and management.

Recognizing the Symptoms: When Norovirus Strikes

How can you tell if you’ve contracted norovirus? The symptoms typically appear within 12 to 48 hours after exposure and can last for 1 to 3 days. The most common signs include:

• Sudden onset of nausea
• Frequent vomiting
• Watery diarrhea
• Abdominal cramps
• Low-grade fever
• Headache
• Body aches

Is it possible to mistake norovirus for other conditions? Yes, its symptoms can be similar to those caused by other gastrointestinal pathogens. However, the rapid onset and short duration are often telltale signs of norovirus infection.

Dehydration: A Serious Concern

Why is dehydration a significant risk with norovirus? The combination of vomiting and diarrhea can lead to rapid fluid loss. This is particularly dangerous for young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems. Signs of dehydration include:

• Decreased urination
• Dry mouth and throat
• Dizziness upon standing
• In severe cases, sunken eyes and rapid heartbeat

Transmission: How Norovirus Spreads Like Wildfire

How does norovirus manage to infect so many people so quickly? Its transmission methods are diverse and efficient:

1. Direct contact with an infected person
2. Consuming contaminated food or water
3. Touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your mouth
4. Inhaling virus particles from the air after someone vomits

Why are certain environments more prone to norovirus outbreaks? Closed or crowded settings such as schools, nursing homes, cruise ships, and restaurants provide ideal conditions for the virus to spread rapidly. In these environments, a single infected person can unknowingly transmit the virus to numerous others.

The Resilience of Norovirus

What makes norovirus particularly challenging to control? Its ability to survive on surfaces for extended periods and its resistance to many common disinfectants contribute to its persistence. The virus can remain infectious on surfaces for days or even weeks, depending on the environment.

Treatment Strategies: Managing Norovirus Infection

How is norovirus infection treated? Currently, there’s no specific antiviral medication for norovirus. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing complications, particularly dehydration. The primary approaches include:

• Oral rehydration: Replacing lost fluids and electrolytes is crucial
• Rest: Allowing the body to recover and fight off the infection
• Gradual return to normal diet: Starting with bland, easily digestible foods

Are there any over-the-counter medications that can help? While anti-diarrheal medications may provide some relief, they’re generally not recommended as they can prolong the infection. In severe cases, medical professionals may prescribe anti-emetics to control vomiting.

When to Seek Medical Attention

How do you know when a norovirus infection requires professional medical care? Watch for these warning signs:

• Inability to keep liquids down for 24 hours
• Bloody stools
• Severe abdominal pain
• Signs of severe dehydration (extreme thirst, dizziness, dark urine)
• Fever above 104°F (40°C)

Prevention: The Key to Controlling Norovirus Outbreaks

How can you protect yourself and others from norovirus? Prevention is crucial, given the lack of specific treatment. Key preventive measures include:

1. Proper hand hygiene: Frequent handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
2. Safe food handling: Thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables, and cooking shellfish properly
3. Disinfecting contaminated surfaces: Using a chlorine bleach solution or other EPA-approved disinfectants
4. Isolating infected individuals: Staying home when sick and for at least 48 hours after symptoms resolve
5. Careful laundry practices: Handling and washing contaminated clothing or linens with care

Why is hand sanitizer not always effective against norovirus? While alcohol-based hand sanitizers are useful against many pathogens, they’re not as effective against norovirus. Proper handwashing with soap and water remains the gold standard for preventing norovirus transmission.

Norovirus in Different Populations: Varying Risks and Impacts

How does norovirus affect different age groups? While anyone can contract norovirus, certain populations are at higher risk for severe complications:

• Young children: More susceptible to dehydration and may require hospitalization
• Older adults: May have weakened immune systems and underlying health conditions
• Immunocompromised individuals: At risk for prolonged illness and complications

Why are institutional settings particularly vulnerable to norovirus outbreaks? The close proximity of individuals, shared facilities, and potential for rapid spread make places like schools, nursing homes, and hospitals hotspots for norovirus transmission. In these settings, strict hygiene protocols and prompt response to suspected cases are essential.

Norovirus in Healthcare Settings

How does norovirus impact healthcare facilities? Outbreaks in hospitals and nursing homes can have severe consequences:

• Disruption of normal operations
• Increased risk to vulnerable patients
• Potential staff shortages due to illness
• Economic burden from additional infection control measures

The Economic Impact of Norovirus

How does norovirus affect the global economy? The impact extends far beyond individual health concerns:

• Lost productivity due to illness and absenteeism
• Healthcare costs for treating severe cases
• Economic losses in the food service and hospitality industries
• Expenses related to outbreak control and prevention measures

Why is investing in norovirus prevention and control important from an economic perspective? The costs associated with norovirus outbreaks often far exceed the investments required for effective prevention strategies. Public health initiatives focused on norovirus can yield significant economic benefits in addition to improving community health.

Emerging Research and Future Directions in Norovirus Management

What advancements are being made in norovirus research? Scientists and public health experts are working on several fronts to improve our understanding and management of norovirus:

• Vaccine development: Efforts to create an effective norovirus vaccine are ongoing
• Improved diagnostics: Developing faster, more accurate tests for norovirus detection
• Novel treatment approaches: Exploring antiviral therapies and immunomodulators
• Environmental interventions: Investigating new disinfection technologies and materials

How might these advancements change our approach to norovirus in the future? As research progresses, we may see more targeted prevention strategies, quicker outbreak responses, and potentially even prophylactic measures for high-risk populations.

The Role of Genomics in Norovirus Research

Why is genomic analysis important in understanding norovirus? Studying the genetic makeup of norovirus strains helps researchers:

• Track the evolution of the virus
• Identify emerging strains with potential for increased virulence or transmissibility
• Develop more effective diagnostic tools and potential vaccines
• Understand patterns of global spread and local outbreaks

Global Surveillance and Coordination in Norovirus Control

How do international efforts contribute to norovirus management? Global surveillance networks and coordinated research initiatives play a crucial role:

• Monitoring emerging strains and outbreak patterns
• Sharing data and best practices across borders
• Coordinating responses to large-scale outbreaks
• Developing standardized guidelines for prevention and control

Why is international cooperation essential in combating norovirus? The highly mobile nature of modern society means that norovirus outbreaks can quickly spread across countries and continents. A coordinated global approach is necessary for effective prevention and rapid response to outbreaks.

The Role of Public Health Education

How can public awareness contribute to norovirus control? Educating the general public about norovirus is a critical component of prevention:

• Increasing understanding of transmission routes
• Promoting proper hygiene practices
• Encouraging appropriate food handling and preparation
• Raising awareness about when to seek medical attention

Why is continuous public health education important? As new information emerges and prevention strategies evolve, ongoing education ensures that individuals and communities are equipped with the latest knowledge to protect themselves and others from norovirus infection.

Norovirus in the Context of Global Health Challenges

How does norovirus fit into the broader landscape of global health issues? While often overshadowed by other infectious diseases, norovirus presents significant challenges:

• High global prevalence and economic impact
• Potential for rapid, widespread outbreaks
• Disproportionate effect on vulnerable populations
• Interconnection with issues of sanitation and food safety

Why should norovirus be a priority in global health initiatives? Its widespread impact, coupled with the potential for prevention through improved hygiene and sanitation, makes norovirus an important target for public health interventions. Addressing norovirus can have ripple effects, improving overall community health and resilience to other infectious diseases.

Norovirus and Environmental Health

How does environmental health relate to norovirus control? Several environmental factors influence norovirus transmission and persistence:

• Water quality and sanitation infrastructure
• Food production and handling practices
• Built environment design (e.g., in healthcare facilities)
• Climate change impacts on pathogen distribution and survival

Why is an interdisciplinary approach necessary for effective norovirus management? Addressing norovirus requires collaboration across various fields, including epidemiology, virology, environmental science, and public health policy. This comprehensive approach can lead to more effective and sustainable solutions for controlling norovirus outbreaks.

The Future of Norovirus Management: Challenges and Opportunities

What challenges lie ahead in the fight against norovirus? Despite advances in research and prevention strategies, several obstacles remain:

• Viral mutation and emergence of new strains
• Increasing global travel and urbanization facilitating rapid spread
• Climate change potentially altering viral distribution patterns
• Balancing effective control measures with practical implementation

How can we turn these challenges into opportunities for improvement? Each challenge presents a chance to innovate and improve our approach to norovirus management:

• Developing adaptable prevention strategies to address emerging strains
• Leveraging technology for real-time outbreak tracking and response
• Integrating norovirus control into broader public health and environmental initiatives
• Fostering international collaboration for more effective global management

As we continue to grapple with norovirus and its impacts, ongoing research, public education, and collaborative efforts across disciplines and borders will be key to reducing its burden on global health and well-being. By staying informed and proactive, individuals and communities can play a crucial role in preventing and controlling norovirus outbreaks, contributing to a healthier future for all.

Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) – Symptoms & causes

Overview

Viral gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection that includes signs and symptoms such as watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting, and sometimes fever.

The most common way to develop viral gastroenteritis — often called stomach flu — is through contact with an infected person or by consuming contaminated food or water. If you’re otherwise healthy, you’ll likely recover without complications. But for infants, older adults and people with compromised immune systems, viral gastroenteritis can be deadly.

There’s no effective treatment for viral gastroenteritis, so prevention is key. Avoid food and water that may be contaminated and wash your hands thoroughly and often.

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Symptoms

Although it’s commonly called stomach flu, gastroenteritis isn’t the same as influenza. The flu (influenza) affects only your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. Gastroenteritis, on the other hand, attacks your intestines, causing signs and symptoms such as:

• Watery, usually nonbloody diarrhea — bloody diarrhea usually means you have a different, more severe infection
• Nausea, vomiting or both
• Stomach cramps and pain
• Occasional muscle aches or headache
• Low-grade fever

Depending on the cause, viral gastroenteritis symptoms may appear within 1-3 days after you’re infected and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms usually last just a day or two, but occasionally they may last up to 14 days.

Because the symptoms are similar, it’s easy to confuse viral diarrhea with diarrhea caused by bacteria, such as Clostridioides difficile, salmonella and Escherichia coli, or parasites, such as giardia.

Viral gastroenteritis

The stomach, small intestine and large intestine (colon) are part of your digestive tract, which processes the foods you eat. Viral gastroenteritis is an inflammation of these organs caused by a virus.

When to see a doctor

If you’re an adult, call your health care provider if:

• You’re not able to keep liquids down for 24 hours
• You’ve been vomiting or having diarrhea for more than two days
• You’re vomiting blood
• You’re dehydrated — signs of dehydration include excessive thirst, dry mouth, deep yellow urine or little or no urine, and severe weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness
• You notice blood in your bowel movements
• You have severe stomach pain
• You have a fever above 104 F (40 C)

For infants and children

See your child’s health care provider right away if your child:

• Has a fever of 102 F (38.9 C) or higher
• Seems tired or very irritable
• Is in a lot of discomfort or pain
• Has bloody diarrhea
• Seems dehydrated — watch for signs of dehydration in sick infants and children by comparing how much they drink and urinate with how much is normal for them, and watching for signs such as a dry mouth, thirst and crying without tears

If you have an infant, remember that while spitting up may be an everyday occurrence for your baby, vomiting is not. Babies vomit for a variety of reasons, many of which may require medical attention.

Call your baby’s doctor right away if your baby:

• Has vomiting that is frequent
• Hasn’t had a wet diaper in six hours
• Has bloody stools or severe diarrhea
• Has a sunken soft spot (fontanel) on the top of his or her head
• Has a dry mouth or cries without tears
• Is unusually sleepy, drowsy or unresponsive

Causes

You’re most likely to get viral gastroenteritis when you eat or drink contaminated food or water. You may also be likely to get gastroenteritis if you share utensils, towels or food with someone who has one of the viruses that cause the condition.

Many viruses can cause gastroenteritis, including:

• Noroviruses. Both children and adults are affected by noroviruses, the most common cause of foodborne illness worldwide. Norovirus infection can sweep through families and communities. It’s especially likely to spread among people in confined spaces.

  In most cases, you pick up the virus from contaminated food or water. But it can also spread between people who are in close contact or who share food. You can also get the virus by touching a surface that’s been contaminated with norovirus and then touching your mouth.

• Rotavirus. Worldwide, this is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis in children, who are usually infected when they put their fingers or other objects contaminated with the virus into their mouths. It can also spread through contaminated food. The infection is most severe in infants and young children.

  Adults infected with rotavirus may not have symptoms, but can still spread the illness. This is of particular concern in institutional settings such as nursing homes because adults with the virus unknowingly can pass the virus to others. A vaccine against viral gastroenteritis is available in some countries, including the United States, and appears to be effective in preventing the infection.

Some shellfish, especially raw or undercooked oysters, also can make you sick. Contaminated drinking water is a cause of viral diarrhea. But in many cases the virus is passed when someone with a virus handles food you eat without washing his or her hands after using the toilet.

Risk factors

Gastroenteritis occurs all over the world and can affect people of all ages.

People who may be more susceptible to gastroenteritis include:

• Young children. Children in child care centers or elementary schools may be especially vulnerable because it takes time for a child’s immune system to mature.
• Older adults. Adult immune systems tend to become less efficient later in life. Older adults in nursing homes are vulnerable because their immune systems weaken. They also live in close contact with others who may pass along germs.
• Schoolchildren or dormitory residents. Anywhere that groups of people come together in close quarters can be an environment for an intestinal infection to get passed.
• Anyone with a weakened immune system. If your resistance to infection is low — for instance, if your immune system is compromised by HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy or another medical condition — you may be especially at risk.

Each gastrointestinal virus has a season when it’s most active. If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, for instance, you’re more likely to have rotavirus or norovirus infections in the winter and spring.

Complications

The main complication of viral gastroenteritis is dehydration — a severe loss of water and essential salts and minerals. If you’re healthy and drink enough to replace fluids you lose from vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration shouldn’t be a problem.

Infants, older adults and people with weakened immune systems may become severely dehydrated when they lose more fluids than they can replace. Hospitalization might be needed so that lost fluids can be replaced through an IV in their arms. Dehydration can rarely lead to death.

Prevention

The best way to prevent the spread of intestinal infections is to follow these precautions:

• Get your child vaccinated. A vaccine against gastroenteritis caused by the rotavirus is available in some countries, including the United States. Given to children in the first year of life, the vaccine appears to be effective in preventing severe symptoms of this illness.

• Wash your hands thoroughly. And make sure your children do, too. If your children are older, teach them to wash their hands, especially after using the toilet.

  Wash your hands after changing diapers and before preparing or eating food, too. It’s best to use warm water and soap and to rub hands well for at least 20 seconds. Wash around cuticles, beneath fingernails and in the creases of the hands. Then rinse thoroughly. Carry sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer for times when soap and water aren’t available.

• Use separate personal items around your home. Avoid sharing eating utensils, drinking glasses and plates. Use separate towels in the bathroom.
• Prepare food safely. Wash all your fruits and vegetables before eating them. Clean kitchen surfaces before preparing food on them. Avoid preparing food if you’re sick.
• Keep your distance. Avoid close contact with anyone who has the virus, if possible.
• Disinfect hard surfaces. If someone in your home has viral gastroenteritis, disinfect hard surfaces, such as counters, faucets and doorknobs, with a mixture of 5-25 tablespoons (73 to 369 milliliters) of household bleach to 1 gallon (3.8 liters) of water.
• Avoid touching laundry that may have been exposed to a virus. If someone in your home has viral gastroenteritis, wear gloves while touching laundry. Wash clothing and bedding in hot water and dry them on the hottest setting. Wash your hands well after touching laundry.
• Check out your child care center. Make sure the center has separate rooms for changing diapers and preparing or serving food. The room with the diaper-changing table should have a sink as well as a sanitary way to dispose of diapers.

Take precautions when traveling

When you’re traveling in other countries, you can become sick from contaminated food or water. You may be able to reduce your risk by following these tips:

• Drink only well-sealed bottled or carbonated water.
• Avoid ice cubes because they may be made from contaminated water.
• Use bottled water to brush your teeth.
• Avoid raw food — including peeled fruits, raw vegetables and salads — that has been touched by human hands.
• Avoid undercooked meat and fish.

More Information

Viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu) – Symptoms & causes

Overview

Viral gastroenteritis is an intestinal infection that includes signs and symptoms such as watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea or vomiting, and sometimes fever.

The most common way to develop viral gastroenteritis — often called stomach flu — is through contact with an infected person or by consuming contaminated food or water. If you’re otherwise healthy, you’ll likely recover without complications. But for infants, older adults and people with compromised immune systems, viral gastroenteritis can be deadly.

There’s no effective treatment for viral gastroenteritis, so prevention is key. Avoid food and water that may be contaminated and wash your hands thoroughly and often.

Products & Services

Symptoms

Although it’s commonly called stomach flu, gastroenteritis isn’t the same as influenza. The flu (influenza) affects only your respiratory system — your nose, throat and lungs. Gastroenteritis, on the other hand, attacks your intestines, causing signs and symptoms such as:

• Watery, usually nonbloody diarrhea — bloody diarrhea usually means you have a different, more severe infection
• Nausea, vomiting or both
• Stomach cramps and pain
• Occasional muscle aches or headache
• Low-grade fever

Depending on the cause, viral gastroenteritis symptoms may appear within 1-3 days after you’re infected and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms usually last just a day or two, but occasionally they may last up to 14 days.

Because the symptoms are similar, it’s easy to confuse viral diarrhea with diarrhea caused by bacteria, such as Clostridioides difficile, salmonella and Escherichia coli, or parasites, such as giardia.

Viral gastroenteritis

The stomach, small intestine and large intestine (colon) are part of your digestive tract, which processes the foods you eat. Viral gastroenteritis is an inflammation of these organs caused by a virus.

When to see a doctor

If you’re an adult, call your health care provider if:

• You’re not able to keep liquids down for 24 hours
• You’ve been vomiting or having diarrhea for more than two days
• You’re vomiting blood
• You’re dehydrated — signs of dehydration include excessive thirst, dry mouth, deep yellow urine or little or no urine, and severe weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness
• You notice blood in your bowel movements
• You have severe stomach pain
• You have a fever above 104 F (40 C)

For infants and children

See your child’s health care provider right away if your child:

• Has a fever of 102 F (38. 9 C) or higher
• Seems tired or very irritable
• Is in a lot of discomfort or pain
• Has bloody diarrhea
• Seems dehydrated — watch for signs of dehydration in sick infants and children by comparing how much they drink and urinate with how much is normal for them, and watching for signs such as a dry mouth, thirst and crying without tears

If you have an infant, remember that while spitting up may be an everyday occurrence for your baby, vomiting is not. Babies vomit for a variety of reasons, many of which may require medical attention.

Call your baby’s doctor right away if your baby:

• Has vomiting that is frequent
• Hasn’t had a wet diaper in six hours
• Has bloody stools or severe diarrhea
• Has a sunken soft spot (fontanel) on the top of his or her head
• Has a dry mouth or cries without tears
• Is unusually sleepy, drowsy or unresponsive

Causes

You’re most likely to get viral gastroenteritis when you eat or drink contaminated food or water. You may also be likely to get gastroenteritis if you share utensils, towels or food with someone who has one of the viruses that cause the condition.

Many viruses can cause gastroenteritis, including:

• Noroviruses. Both children and adults are affected by noroviruses, the most common cause of foodborne illness worldwide. Norovirus infection can sweep through families and communities. It’s especially likely to spread among people in confined spaces.

  In most cases, you pick up the virus from contaminated food or water. But it can also spread between people who are in close contact or who share food. You can also get the virus by touching a surface that’s been contaminated with norovirus and then touching your mouth.

• Rotavirus. Worldwide, this is the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis in children, who are usually infected when they put their fingers or other objects contaminated with the virus into their mouths. It can also spread through contaminated food. The infection is most severe in infants and young children.

  Adults infected with rotavirus may not have symptoms, but can still spread the illness. This is of particular concern in institutional settings such as nursing homes because adults with the virus unknowingly can pass the virus to others. A vaccine against viral gastroenteritis is available in some countries, including the United States, and appears to be effective in preventing the infection.

Some shellfish, especially raw or undercooked oysters, also can make you sick. Contaminated drinking water is a cause of viral diarrhea. But in many cases the virus is passed when someone with a virus handles food you eat without washing his or her hands after using the toilet.

Risk factors

Gastroenteritis occurs all over the world and can affect people of all ages.

People who may be more susceptible to gastroenteritis include:

• Young children. Children in child care centers or elementary schools may be especially vulnerable because it takes time for a child’s immune system to mature.
• Older adults. Adult immune systems tend to become less efficient later in life. Older adults in nursing homes are vulnerable because their immune systems weaken. They also live in close contact with others who may pass along germs.
• Schoolchildren or dormitory residents. Anywhere that groups of people come together in close quarters can be an environment for an intestinal infection to get passed.
• Anyone with a weakened immune system. If your resistance to infection is low — for instance, if your immune system is compromised by HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy or another medical condition — you may be especially at risk.

Each gastrointestinal virus has a season when it’s most active. If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, for instance, you’re more likely to have rotavirus or norovirus infections in the winter and spring.

Complications

The main complication of viral gastroenteritis is dehydration — a severe loss of water and essential salts and minerals. If you’re healthy and drink enough to replace fluids you lose from vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration shouldn’t be a problem.

Infants, older adults and people with weakened immune systems may become severely dehydrated when they lose more fluids than they can replace. Hospitalization might be needed so that lost fluids can be replaced through an IV in their arms. Dehydration can rarely lead to death.

Prevention

The best way to prevent the spread of intestinal infections is to follow these precautions:

• Get your child vaccinated. A vaccine against gastroenteritis caused by the rotavirus is available in some countries, including the United States. Given to children in the first year of life, the vaccine appears to be effective in preventing severe symptoms of this illness.

• Wash your hands thoroughly. And make sure your children do, too. If your children are older, teach them to wash their hands, especially after using the toilet.

  Wash your hands after changing diapers and before preparing or eating food, too. It’s best to use warm water and soap and to rub hands well for at least 20 seconds. Wash around cuticles, beneath fingernails and in the creases of the hands. Then rinse thoroughly. Carry sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer for times when soap and water aren’t available.

• Use separate personal items around your home. Avoid sharing eating utensils, drinking glasses and plates. Use separate towels in the bathroom.
• Prepare food safely. Wash all your fruits and vegetables before eating them. Clean kitchen surfaces before preparing food on them. Avoid preparing food if you’re sick.
• Keep your distance. Avoid close contact with anyone who has the virus, if possible.
• Disinfect hard surfaces. If someone in your home has viral gastroenteritis, disinfect hard surfaces, such as counters, faucets and doorknobs, with a mixture of 5-25 tablespoons (73 to 369 milliliters) of household bleach to 1 gallon (3. 8 liters) of water.
• Avoid touching laundry that may have been exposed to a virus. If someone in your home has viral gastroenteritis, wear gloves while touching laundry. Wash clothing and bedding in hot water and dry them on the hottest setting. Wash your hands well after touching laundry.
• Check out your child care center. Make sure the center has separate rooms for changing diapers and preparing or serving food. The room with the diaper-changing table should have a sink as well as a sanitary way to dispose of diapers.

Take precautions when traveling

When you’re traveling in other countries, you can become sick from contaminated food or water. You may be able to reduce your risk by following these tips:

• Drink only well-sealed bottled or carbonated water.
• Avoid ice cubes because they may be made from contaminated water.
• Use bottled water to brush your teeth.
• Avoid raw food — including peeled fruits, raw vegetables and salads — that has been touched by human hands.
• Avoid undercooked meat and fish.

More Information

Adenovirus infection – causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

Lymphadenopathy

Conjunctivitis

SARS

Pharyngitis

Rhinitis

7486

May 19

Adenovirus infection: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment.

Definition

Adenovirus infections include a group of acute viral diseases that affect the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract, eyes, intestines and lymphoid tissue. An increased risk of infection exists in children and young people: adenovirus is registered in 25-30% of young children from the total number of viral respiratory diseases.

Adenoviruses were first isolated in 1953 from human adenoids, hence the name. More than 50 serotypes of human adenoviruses are known, which are part of 7 subgroups (A, B1, B2, C, D, E, F). Virus particles contain DNA, have a diameter of 70 to 100 nm, they lack lipids and an envelope.

Adenoviruses are stable in the external environment: they remain at room temperature for 2 weeks, withstand low temperatures and drying. At the same time, the causative agent of adenovirus infection is inactivated under the influence of ultraviolet rays and chlorine-containing disinfectants.

Causes of adenovirus infection

The source of infection is sick people with an overt or latent form of the disease, as well as virus carriers. The most dangerous are patients in the acute period of the disease, when adenoviruses are found in high concentrations in nasopharyngeal swabs, scrapings from the affected conjunctiva, blood and feces. The mechanism of infection transmission is airborne, but the alimentary route of infection (fecal-oral mechanism) is also possible, through household items, pool water, medical supplies (contact mechanism). According to the epidemiological classification of infectious diseases, adenovirus infection is classified as an airborne and intestinal infection.

Adenovirus enters the body through the upper respiratory tract, the conjunctiva of the eyes or the intestines.

During the incubation period, the virus reproduces in epithelial cells and lymph nodes. After the death of the affected cells, viral particles are released and penetrate into the bloodstream, spread throughout the body, which can lead to inflammation of the bronchi, kidneys, liver, spleen, digestive tract, etc.

Disease classification

It is customary to distinguish three forms of adenovirus:

• mild – affects the upper respiratory tract and throat;
• moderate – manifested by lymphadenopathy (inflammation of the lymph nodes), hyperplasia of the lymphoid tissue;
• severe – caused by a secondary infection or generalization of the virus.

The clinical classification takes into account the localization of the process:

• pharyngoconjunctival fever;
• keratoconjunctivitis, conjunctivitis;
• acute respiratory disease;
• adenovirus pneumonia.

Symptoms of adenovirus infection

Adenovirus incubation period is 2 to 12 days (usually 5-7 days). Usually the disease begins acutely, but the various symptoms of the disease do not appear simultaneously, but sequentially. The first signs are more often a gradual increase in body temperature to 38-39 ° C (less often up to 40 ° C) by the 2-3rd day and catarrhal phenomena in the upper respiratory tract. There is a slight lethargy, general weakness, loss of appetite, a headache is possible, and muscle and joint pains are rare.

With pharyngoconjunctival fever , pharyngitis, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, general toxic syndrome (headache, weakness, aches, chills) are noted.

In case of keratoconjunctivitis, conjunctivitis the process begins acutely and is difficult. High temperature lasts up to 10 days. Peripheral lymph nodes are enlarged, especially cervical.

At picture of acute respiratory disease general toxic syndrome is observed: headache, weakness, aches, chills. Subfebrile temperature (within 37.1-38 ° C) lasts a long time.

Adenovirus pneumonia is characterized by undulating fever, worsening cough and symptoms of intoxication. There is shortness of breath, acrocyanosis (blue fingertips).

Adenovirus infection can occur in the intestinal form, which is accompanied by fever, paroxysmal abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, and diarrhea.

Symptoms of adenovirus infection are similar to influenza. But there is a difference – damage to the eyes and conjunctiva. Patients complain of burning, pain, sensation of a foreign body in the eyes. The skin of the eyelids is moderately edematous, hyperemic, the eyes are half-open.

Conjunctivitis is the “calling card” of adenovirus infection.

Diagnosis of adenoviral infection

Clinically, adenoviral infection is diagnosed by the presence of conjunctivitis, pharyngitis, lesions of the lymph nodes against the background of fever. The blood picture in adenovirus infection is nonspecific and has no diagnostic value. Methods for rapid diagnosis of adenovirus infection are the immunofluorescence reaction: adenovirus, diarrheal syndrome and respiratory adenovirus (a method by which specific antibodies to adenovirus in blood serum are detected), as well as immune electron microscopy.

Adenovirus (Adenovirus), diarrheal syndrome, antigen test (Adenovirus. One step rapid immunochromotographic assay)

Adenovirus is the main cause of infectious gastroenteritis in newborns and young children, and they also occur in adults. …

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Serological diagnostics is used for retrospective interpretation of the etiology of SARS. Serological studies are widely used: RTGA (hemagglutination inhibition reaction) and RSK (compliment binding reaction).

Which doctors to contact

Diagnostics and treatment of adenovirus infection
pediatrician,
therapist or
general doctor.

Treatment of adenovirus infection

Most cases are treated at home. Bed rest, a complete and balanced diet, and plenty of fluids are prescribed.

Topical therapy for adenovirus infection includes the use of eye drops, application of antiviral ointments behind the eyelid, the introduction of antiviral ointments into the nasal passages, instillation of interferons into the nose, irrigation of the pharynx. Focusing on the symptom complex, expectorants, vasoconstrictors, multivitamins are prescribed.

Antibacterial therapy is necessary only in case of bacterial infection.

Children of early age with a severe form of adenovirus infection and complications are subject to hospitalization. Note that the infection is especially dangerous for children under 3 years old, therefore, in order to avoid complications, it is necessary to consult a doctor at the first symptoms of the disease.

Complications

Complications, as a rule, arise due to the addition of a bacterial infection:

• sinusitis; pneumonia;
• bowel dysfunction;
• damage to the heart, kidneys.

Prevention of adenovirus infection

Specific prevention (vaccination) has not yet been developed, therefore, non-specific measures are used to increase the body’s resistance to infectious diseases.

During periods of epidemic outbreaks, isolation of patients is indicated; carrying out current disinfection, ventilation and UVR of premises; prescribing interferon to persons at risk of infection.

Sources:

1. Shamsheva O.V. Influenza and SARS in children / O.V. Shamshev. – M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2018. – 112 p.
2. Yushchuk N.D. Infectious diseases: national guidelines / Ed. N.D. Yushchuk, Yu.Ya. Vengerov. – M.: GEOTAR-Media, 2015. – 1056 p.

IMPORTANT!

The information in this section should not be used for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. In case of pain or other exacerbation of the disease, only the attending physician should prescribe diagnostic tests. For diagnosis and proper treatment, you should contact your doctor.
For a correct assessment of the results of your analyzes in dynamics, it is preferable to do studies in the same laboratory, since different laboratories may use different research methods and units of measurement to perform the same analyzes.

Intestinal infections | H-Clinic

06/13/2022

Intestinal infections are a group of diseases that can be caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites. They are often called gastroenteritis because both the stomach and intestines are affected.

They are ubiquitous and do not have seasonality (such as influenza or tick-borne infections), but the maximum number of cases is still recorded in the spring and summer, when hands begin to reach for fruits and vegetables from the beds, “and washing is not necessary – we have everything of our own, everything is clean!”

In fact, this is not the only way to get sick – you can also swim in a pond and take a sip of water from there .

.. but seriously, there are two main ways to get infected:

1. Eating contaminated food, drinking contaminated water
2. Contact with a sick person and objects contaminated with his secretions (this includes both non-compliance with the rules of hygiene, patient care, and oral sex, including rimming)

Intestinal infections are mainly manifested by symptoms such as:

• diarrhea (it is important to pay attention to the consistency, color of feces, the presence of pathological impurities, blood, mucus)

• nausea

• vomit

• discomfort/abdominal pain

• fever

• headache

Most of these infections go away on their own after symptomatic treatment. Symptomatic treatment is drugs for nausea if you feel sick, for pain in the abdomen if your stomach hurts, for headaches if your head hurts, etc. But some diseases pose a real threat, can lead to complications and even death.

The main thing to be afraid of is dehydration. Dehydration is especially dangerous for children and the elderly, as well as for people with chronic kidney and heart diseases. Therefore, it is important to constantly replenish the volume of fluid lost by the body during vomiting and diarrhea, with sweat during fever, and even with breathing, we lose water – and it needs to be replenished! For this, there are many special solutions (Regidron, Acesol, Hydrovit) that you can drink, but if a person cannot even take a sip (for example, he constantly vomits), then it is better to administer saline solutions intravenously – this is more reliable.

It is important to know when to seek medical attention.

• severe symptoms such as persistent vomiting and diarrhea

• diarrhea lasting more than 3 days

• high fever

• an admixture of blood and mucus in the stool

• signs of dehydration (severe thirst, decreased diuresis*, decreased blood pressure, loss of consciousness)

* diuresis is the volume of urine formed over a certain period of time, most often per day; it is also the ratio of fluid drunk and excreted in the urine

When it comes to children, you should always pay attention to:

• signs of dehydration (lack of urine, sunken eyes, dry mouth, pallor, cold extremities)

• persistent nausea/vomiting, severe abdominal pain

• lethargy, hypodynamia, delayed reaction

What are the most common causes of intestinal infections?

For parasites, you need to highlight a whole separate article, so today we will briefly go over viruses and bacteria – the main causative agents of gastroenteritis. So.

Viruses (rotavirus, norovirus, adenovirus)

You can become infected through food, contaminated water, household items contaminated with secretions of a sick person. As a rule, the disease has a “family” character – everyone gets sick in turn or at the same time. Usually, if most family members with similar symptoms are sick, a viral infection is suspected.

The symptoms for all of these viruses are similar: high body temperature, abdominal discomfort or pain, nausea, vomiting, and clear watery stools. True, with an adenoviral infection, high fever can persist for quite a long time, there may be a sore throat, lymph nodes may increase, a rash and conjunctivitis may appear. By and large, it doesn’t matter to know what kind of virus has now crippled your health, because the knowledge of this tactic does not change – symptomatic therapy + fluid replenishment. There are no antiviral drugs for the treatment of intestinal infections.

Replenishing lost fluid and electrolytes is the main goal of treating viral gastroenteritis. Insufficient rehydration leads to very serious consequences up to death, especially in young children. For example, rotavirus infection in young children causes several hundred thousand deaths each year due to dehydration. However, there is prevention – we will talk about it later.

Bacteria

– Campylobacter is one of the four leading causes of diarrheal disease worldwide. This bacterium is considered the world’s most common bacterial cause of intestinal infections in humans. Most cases are mild, but children, the elderly, and immunocompromised people are at risk for severe disease. It is transmitted through consumption of undercooked meat, poultry, or milk. The clinical picture is very similar to many acute intestinal infections, and diagnosis is only possible using laboratory stool tests such as PCR or culture. Antibacterial therapy is carried out only in the case of an invasive form of the disease or for the sanitation of asymptomatic excretory carriers.

– Escherichia coli is the leading cause of traveler’s diarrhea and the leading cause of diarrheal disease in developing countries, especially among children. Most strains of E. coli are harmless, but some strains can cause severe food poisoning, such as Shigatoxin producing E. coli (STEC). The main sources of STEC outbreaks are uncooked or undercooked minced meat products, raw milk, and vegetables contaminated with faeces. In most cases, the disease resolves on its own, but life-threatening conditions can develop.

* Traveler’s diarrhea is the most common travel-related illness. People who travel to places where there are pathogens other than those they are used to become infected, especially in regions where food/water contamination is more common. It is most often transmitted through food or water contaminated with faeces. Most cases are caused by bacteria, including E. coli, Salmonella, and Shigella.

– Salmonellosis is one of the most common intestinal infections. Infection occurs when eating food, usually raw meat, fish, seafood, eggs (including quail). Accompanied by high body temperature, headache, cramping abdominal pain, repeated watery stools with a characteristic dark green color, sometimes with nausea and vomiting. There is no salmonella in fresh chicken eggs, but in chicken manure, which is on the shell, there may be plenty of it. It can remain on the shell (therefore, it is necessary to wash chicken eggs before cooking), or it can penetrate inside (therefore, the heat treatment must be complete). The most dangerous type of salmonella is Salmonella Typhi, which causes typhoid fever. The infection affects the lymphatic system and digestive tract, spreads throughout the body with blood and lymph, causing severe intoxication. Symptoms include persistent fever, fatigue, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, and constipation or diarrhea. Some patients may develop a rash. Severe cases of the disease can lead to serious complications (such as intestinal perforation, intestinal bleeding, peritonitis) and even death. Antibacterial therapy is indispensable here, the main thing is to complete the course of treatment under the supervision of a doctor and be sure to pass control tests of feces for Salmonella typhi to confirm the cure.

– Shigellosis (or dysentery) is as common as salmonellosis. Unlike salmonellosis, to get sick with dysentery, you need a very small infectious dose (few bacteria). A sick person, his feces is the only source of the pathogen that can be transmitted through water, food, objects, or carried by flies. The nature of the stool with shigellosis is already different, most often with mucus, blood, or even pus. The pain in the abdomen has a cramping character, false urge to defecate, and the volume of stool is smaller and smaller each time. In moderate and severe cases, antibiotics are used.

– Yersinia , caused by Yersinia enterocolitica, is a relatively rare cause of diarrhea and abdominal pain. Infection most often occurs through the consumption of contaminated foods, vegetables, especially raw or undercooked pork products, as well as ice cream and milk. Mice are the most common carriers. Common symptoms are fever, abdominal pain, and diarrhea, which is often bloody, bothersome muscle and joint pain, and sometimes a rash. The danger of this disease is that a chronic form of the disease develops with joint damage, reactive arthritis, the appearance of erythema nodosum, chronic colitis, and the development of myocarditis. Antibacterial therapy is required.

In many cases, even with a bacterial infection, symptomatic treatment is sufficient. However, if there is a prolonged high temperature, the presence of mucus, pus or blood in the stool, inflammatory changes in the general blood test, an increase in the level of C-reactive protein, then it is necessary for the doctor to prescribe adequate antibiotic therapy.

But here it is important to know that every antibiotic intake carries the risk of developing antibiotic-associated colitis. The most common causative agent is the opportunistic bacterium Clostridium Difficile, which produces a large amount of toxins. It is characterized by a violation of the stool, the appearance of mucus in the feces, an increase in body temperature, and a general deterioration in the condition. The danger lies in the violation of protein absorption, leading to severe edema. The most dangerous, life-threatening condition is toxic dilatation (expansion) of the colon, requiring surgical intervention. It sounds strange, but colitis due to antibiotics is also treated with antibiotics, only with different ones. Treatment and recovery takes a long time and there are frequent relapses of the disease. Therefore, any appointment of antibiotic therapy should be made by a doctor strictly according to indications and taking into account many additional factors.

– Another Clostridium ( Clostridium Botulinum ) can cause botulism, a dangerous, potentially fatal disease that often masquerades as common intestinal infections. A person becomes infected with botulism when eating home canned products (mushrooms, fish, meat). Products canned under industrial conditions rarely become a source of infection. Wound botulism develops as a result of wound contamination (ingress of bacterial spores into the wound surface). Infant botulism develops when spores of the pathogen enter the gastrointestinal tract. This type of botulism is observed mainly in children of the first 6 months of life. If visual impairment begins: double vision, “fog” before the eyes, a feeling of a grid – this is a reason for urgent hospitalization, and the treatment of the disease itself is strictly in the hospital. The toxin causes paralysis. Paralysis begins in the muscles of the face and spreads to the limbs. If it reaches the respiratory muscles, respiratory failure can occur, which can be fatal.

– Bacterial food poisoning is one of the most common diagnoses. Symptoms are identical to viral gastroenteritis and are close even to bacterial infections. The only common difference is that the temperature is not as high, usually no higher than 38. 0°C. The reason is bacterial toxins in food. Often occurs when using expired products, improperly stored confectionery.

Intestinal infections can be prevented by taking care of what you eat and drink and by maintaining good hygiene.

• cook food thoroughly (there must be a good heat treatment, a separate cutting board for meat, and it must be washed thoroughly with soap)

• wash your hands regularly (after going to the toilet, before eating, after caring for a sick relative, after changing diapers, after cutting raw meat, etc.)

• when traveling to developing countries, use only bottled water, avoid ice and raw foods

• and, of course, we must try to avoid contact with patients with intestinal infections

And, as always, we cannot ignore the rubric “specific prophylaxis – vaccination”

• You can vaccinate against dysentery with the Shigellvac vaccine.