What are the symptoms of norovirus infection?
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Symptoms of Norovirus Infection
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that is a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Understanding the symptoms of norovirus infection is crucial for timely diagnosis and management. This article synthesizes findings from multiple research studies to provide a comprehensive overview of the symptoms associated with norovirus infection.
Projectile Vomiting and Sudden Onset
One of the hallmark symptoms of norovirus infection is projectile vomiting. This symptom is often sudden and can be quite severe, marking the beginning of the infection . The sudden onset of vomiting is not only a clinical indicator but also a significant factor in the transmission of the virus, as it can lead to environmental contamination and increased infectiousness.
Diarrhea and Gastroenteritis
Norovirus is a major cause of acute gastroenteritis, characterized by symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal pain. These symptoms can vary in intensity but typically last for 1-3 days . In children, norovirus infection has been specifically linked to longer hospital stays compared to other viral gastroenteritis causes, such as rotavirus.
Convulsions in Pediatric Patients
Interestingly, norovirus infection has been identified as a cause of convulsive disorders in children, particularly in young infants. Studies have shown a significantly higher incidence of convulsions in children infected with norovirus compared to those with rotavirus. Although these convulsions can be alarming, long-term neurological sequelae are uncommon.
Symptoms in Older Adults
In older adults, norovirus infection can lead to severe outcomes, including prolonged symptoms and even death. The elderly are particularly vulnerable, with norovirus responsible for a significant number of hospitalizations and deaths annually in this age group. Symptoms in older adults can be more severe and prolonged, necessitating prompt medical attention and supportive care.
Conclusion
Norovirus infection presents with a range of symptoms, from sudden onset vomiting and diarrhea to more severe complications like convulsions in children and prolonged illness in older adults. Recognizing these symptoms early can help in managing the infection effectively and preventing its spread.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Replication in Human Intestinal Enteroids of Infectious Norovirus from Vomit Samples
Linking Time-Varying Symptomatology and Intensity of Infectiousness to Patterns of Norovirus Transmission
Norovirus infection as a cause of diarrhea-associated benign infantile seizures.
Norovirus vaccine against experimental human Norwalk Virus illness.
Norovirus Infection in Older Adults: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Opportunities for Prevention and Control.
Long-term features of norovirus gastroenteritis in the elderly.
Norovirus Infections and Disease in Lower-Middle- and Low-Income Countries, 1997–2018
Norovirus gastroenteritis causes severe and lethal complications after chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Chronic norovirus infection among solid organ recipients in a tertiary care hospital, the Netherlands, 2006-2014.
Noroviruses are highly infectious but there is strong variation in host susceptibility and virus pathogenicity.
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