Around 13 cases of highly contagious Norovirus infection have been confirmed in Wayanad district of Kerala. The government has told everyone to be vigilant of this disease.
What is NOROVIRUS ?
Norovirus is a very contagious virus that can infect anyone. Norovirus infection is an animal borne disease and gets transmitted through food and water. It is also called as stomach flu or stomach bug.
What are the signs and symptoms f the disease?
Diarrhoea
Vomiting
Nausea
Stomach pain
Less common symptoms could be
Fever
Headaches
Body aches
This virus causes the inflammation of the stomach or the intestine. The symptoms usually develop within 12-48 hours. People get severely dehydrated due to vomiting and diarrhoea.
How does the disease get transmitted?
- If you have direct contact with an infected person
- By eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water
- By touching random contaminated surfaces and then putting them in the mouth without washing them.
What is the treatment of this disease?
There is no specific treatment of the disease. Any person who gets infected should drink plenty of fluids and keep adequate hydration in the body. Patients with severe dehydration may require hospitalisation.
Antibiotics do not work in this condition because this disease is caused by a virus and nit by any bacteria.
How can I protect myself from Norovirus?
- Wash your hands regularly
- Wash your fruits and vegetables well
- Do not eat uncovered food
- Whenever someone is sick in the house, frequently clean the surfaces with disinfectant
- Do not cook if you are sick
