How long does stomach virus last
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Duration of Stomach Virus: Insights from Recent Research
Norovirus Gastroenteritis Duration
Immunity Duration to Norovirus
Norovirus (NoV) is a common cause of gastroenteritis, often referred to as a stomach virus. The duration of immunity to NoV has been a subject of study, with previous beliefs suggesting immunity lasts between 6 months to 2 years. However, recent mathematical models indicate that immunity can last significantly longer. These models, which were parameterized using literature data and age-specific incidence data from England and Wales, estimate the duration of immunity to NoV gastroenteritis to be between 4.1 to 8.7 years1. This extended period of immunity suggests that individuals, particularly children under 5 years old, who are more infectious, may benefit substantially from vaccines that provide similar protection durations.
Duration of Norovirus Shedding in Infants
The duration of norovirus shedding, particularly in young children, is another critical aspect of understanding the overall impact of the virus. A study focusing on infants and young children with acute gastroenteritis found that the duration of illness and virus shedding varies significantly with age. For children under 2 years old, the illness lasted longer (7 days) compared to those aged 2 to 5 years (3.5 days)2. Additionally, the severity of symptoms and the number of stools per day were higher in younger children.
Among the children studied, the median duration of norovirus shedding was 16 days, with a range from 5 to 47 days. Notably, infants under 6 months old exhibited prolonged virus shedding, with some continuing to excrete the virus for over 42 days after recovery2. This prolonged shedding period highlights the importance of careful handling of excrement from infected infants and young children to prevent further transmission.
Conclusion
In summary, the duration of a stomach virus, specifically norovirus, can vary widely. Immunity to norovirus gastroenteritis can last from 4.1 to 8.7 years, which is longer than previously thought1. However, the duration of virus shedding, especially in young children, can extend up to 47 days, with infants under 6 months showing the longest shedding periods2. These findings underscore the need for vigilant hygiene practices and the potential benefits of vaccines that can provide long-term immunity.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Duration of Immunity to Norovirus Gastroenteritis
The duration of immunity to norovirus gastroenteritis is estimated at 4.1 to 8.7 years, with children under 5 years old being more infectious than older children and adults.
Highly CitedProlonged Norovirus Shedding in Infants ≤6 Months of Age With Gastroenteritis
Long-term norovirus shedding in infants aged 6 months can persist after clinical symptoms disappear, highlighting the need for caution in handling excrement.
Observational StudyHighly CitedNorovirus infection in immunocompromised hosts.
Chronic norovirus infection in immunocompromised individuals can last weeks to years, making clinical management difficult.
Highly CitedAn outbreak of gastroenteritis in a home for the elderly associated with astrovirus type 1 and human calicivirus
An outbreak of gastroenteritis in an elderly residential home was associated with calicivirus and astrovirus type 1, affecting 80% of residents and 44% of staff.
Case ReportHighly CitedViral shape-shifting: norovirus evasion of the human immune system
Noroviruses persist in human populations due to molecular and structural mechanisms that enable their evasion of the immune system, highlighting the need for effective vaccines and antiviral therapies.
Highly CitedEPIDEMIC VIRAL ENTERITIS IN A LONG-STAY CHILDREN'S WARD
Both rotavirus and adenovirus infections caused mild gastroenteritis in children in a long-stay children's ward, with rotavirus-associated diarrhoea lasting 5-8 days and adenovirus-associated diarrhoea lasting 2-4 days without
Case ReportHighly CitedGastroenteritis due to adenovirus type 41 in an adult with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
Adenovirus type 41 can cause severe gastroenteritis in immunocompromised patients, with potential pathogenicity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients.
Case ReportDetection of Novel Coronavirus by RT-PCR in Stool Specimen from Asymptomatic Child, China
Asymptomatic children can be positive for novel coronavirus in stool specimens, but respiratory tract specimens are negative for the virus.
Case Report
Rigorous JournalHighly CitedNorovirus Excretion in an Aged-Care Setting
Norovirus genogroup II excretion in an aged-care facility peaked in the acute stage of illness and continued for an average of 28.7 days, with a viral half-life of 2.5 days.
Observational StudyHighly CitedThe duration of infectiousness of individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19 patients with mild-to-moderate illness are highly unlikely to be infectious beyond 10 days of symptoms, but those with severe-to-critical illness or immunocompromised may shed infectious virus for longer.
Systematic ReviewHighly Cited