What is norovirus, the cause of the diarrhea epidemic in China? All pages

KOMPAS.com – The unfinished coronavirus outbreak that began in Wuhan, China, late last year, is now another outbreak in the country.

Up to 11 cases of students at a university in Taiyuan, the capital of China’s Shanzi province, were reported to have tested positive for norovirus.

Based on the news Kompas.com, (12/10/2020), around 70 students experienced diarrhea and vomiting.

The Department of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Taiyuan then took a sample of 28 cases from these students for testing for norovirus on Wednesday and Saturday (10/10/2020).

As of Sunday (11/10/2020), up to 22 patients who experienced diarrhea and vomiting due to this virus and other factors were still being treated at the hospital.

Also Read: Unfinished Corona Virus, China Now Attacked By Norovirus

Melansi tells WebMD, a norovirus originally known as the Norwalk virus, where the outbreak was first confirmed in 1972.

Norovirus is considered the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis (diarrheal illness and vomiting) worldwide.

Spread

This virus is easily transmitted through food and drink and can have a major impact on public health.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the average norovirus causes between 19 and 21 million cases in the US annually.

Still, cases of norovirus infection generally occur in winter. Because of this, people also call it “winter vomiting infection”.

This virus is known to be transmitted for up to 8 weeks. That is, there is a possibility that someone can transmit it to other people.

However, these infections generally decrease over time.

In most cases, a person can return to work or activities after being symptom-free for 48 hours.

However, those who work as food servers are generally encouraged to self-quarantine for 72 hours before serving returning customers.

Read also: INFOGRAPHIC SERIES OF THE CORONA VIRUS: What are the Coronavirus and Covid-19?

Symptoms

According to MayoClinic reports, there are a number of symptoms that norovirus sufferers experience, including:

1. Nausea
2. Barf
3. Stomach pain or cramps
4. Watery diarrhea
5. Not feeling well
6. Slight fever
7. Muscle pain

These symptoms usually appear 12 to 48 hours after a person is exposed to norovirus and last 1 to 3 days afterward.

Looking at a victim can continue defecating (BAB) lasting up to two weeks after recovery.

This excessive defecation activity can last for weeks or even months if the patient has underlying comorbidities or diseases.

Some people with norovirus infection are known to have no symptoms. However, they still transmit and spread the virus to other people.

Complications

For most people, the norovirus infection usually clears up within a few days and is not life-threatening.

However, in some cases, especially in children and the elderly, norovirus infection can cause severe dehydration.

Symptoms of a person experiencing severe dehydration include fatigue, dry mouth and throat, lethargy, dizziness, and decreased quality of urine.

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Why

Not only is it important to be aware of the symptoms that occur in those who have them, but it is also important to consider the causes of norovirus infection.

Norovirus is transmitted largely through infected human and animal feces.

In addition, other causes may be due to:

• Eating contaminated food
• Drinking contaminated water
• Touching your mouth with your hand after your hand has touched a contaminated surface or object
• Having close contact with a person who has a norovirus infection.

Even so, noroviruses are difficult to eradicate because they can withstand hot and cold temperatures and most disinfectants.

Risk factor’s

In addition, there are also a number of risk factors that allow us to contract norovirus, namely:

-Eat in places where food is not handled correctly.
– Visit the child care center
– Living in a nearby place, such as in a nursing home
-Stay at a hotel, resort, cruise ship, or anywhere with large crowds in close proximity
-Have contact with someone who has a norovirus infection.

Also read: Study: The use of masks can prevent the second wave of the Corona Virus

Prevention

Norovirus infection is very contagious and anyone can become infected more than once.

Therefore, to help prevent its spread, the following actions can be taken:

• Wash your hands well with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom or changing diapers.
• Avoid contaminated food and water, including food that may have been prepared by someone who was sick.
• Wash fruits and vegetables before eating.
• Cook seafood until clean.
• Dispose of vomit and feces carefully to avoid spreading norovirus through the air.
• Soak the material in a disposable towel, moving it as little as possible, and place it in a single-use plastic bag.
• Disinfect surfaces that may have been contaminated. Use a chlorine bleach solution and wear gloves.
• Stay home from work, especially if your job involves handling food. You can be infected for three days after symptoms disappear.
• Children must stay home and not go to school or daycare.
• Avoid traveling until your signs and symptoms are gone.

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