Live Life Team
Winter vomiting disease is caused by a virus called as the Norovirus. It belongs to a group of viruses that are the main causers of stomach upsets and gastroenteritis. They are also called as SRSV or the Norwalk-like virus. They occur mainly in the winter months of the year, hence the name of winter vomiting disease. However, they can happen at any time of the year as well.
The Norovirus is spread by general outbreaks of diseases, especially in contained areas like schools, hospitals and health centres. This happens because the virus very easily spreads from one person to another, and it can especially exist for days in an already contaminated environment.
A Norovirus may also spread by making contact with a person infected with it, or even through surfaces or objects held by the person. It can also be contracted by eating food or drinking water that is contaminated. The Norovirus can also affect a person many times, as it takes repeated attacks for the body to create immunity towards it.
Symptoms of Norovirus
Norovirus symptoms generally begin about 24 hours to 48 hours after the infection sets in. the initial symptoms include an unexpected attack of nausea, after which the person starts projectile vomiting and then leading to a watery problem of diarrhoea. Other symptoms are: – slight temperature, headaches, aching limbs and cramps in the stomach. In certain rare instances, it can also cause seizures. Generally the symptoms clear out after treatment within about two to three days.
Treating Norovirus
Norovirus conditions do not require any specific course of treatments, but only need to be let alone to clear out by itself. When affected with the condition, one must not stop eating as this will not help in the recovery. Instead, one must eat a light and healthy diet with things like pasta, rice, soup and bread, and in case of children, it should be the normal diet that they regularly have.
In this situation, one must drink plenty of water to help in the recovery process and to avoid dehydration from the vomiting. This is essential especially in the case of aged persons and small children, as they are the most prone to getting dehydrated.
In some cases, even after the condition is cleared, the diarrhoea may persist. At these times, anti-diarrhoea drugs can be bought from any pharmacy that can be used to stop the condition. But these drugs must not be used for children as they can cause side-effects.
Preventing Norovirus
The best steps to take to avoid Norovirus are by maintaining a healthy and hygienic environment. Some other practical methods to keep safe from the virus are: –
Regular and frequent washing of the hands, especially before making food.
Surfaces and objects that might have come in contact with the infection must be disinfected thoroughly, by using bleach base cleaners.
Eat only thoroughly cooked food and avoid raw or unclean products, especially oysters.
The toilet area should be cleaned regularly and maintained with hygienic cleaners.
Clothes and linens must be washed out thoroughly if they have been in contact with the virus.
Avoid direct contact with people who have Norovirus.
