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 infection1 2. 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 infectiousness2.
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 days3 4. In children, norovirus infection has been specifically linked to longer hospital stays compared to other viral gastroenteritis causes, such as rotavirus3.
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 rotavirus3. Although these convulsions can be alarming, long-term neurological sequelae are uncommon3.
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 group5. Symptoms in older adults can be more severe and prolonged, necessitating prompt medical attention and supportive care5.
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.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Replication in Human Intestinal Enteroids of Infectious Norovirus from Vomit Samples
Infectious norovirus can be detected in 25% of vomit samples, with a 13-fold to 714-fold increase in genomic equivalents, confirming its presence in human intestinal enteroids.
Observational Study
Rigorous JournalLinking Time-Varying Symptomatology and Intensity of Infectiousness to Patterns of Norovirus Transmission
Model 3 best explains household transmission data, considering initial spikes in shedding and the presence of asymptomatic infections.
Rigorous JournalNorovirus infection as a cause of diarrhea-associated benign infantile seizures.
Norovirus infection is a major cause of acute gastroenteritis in children and can cause convulsive disorders, particularly in young infants, but long-term neurological sequelae are uncommon.
Observational StudyRigorous Journal
Highly CitedNorovirus vaccine against experimental human Norwalk Virus illness.
The intranasally delivered norovirus VLP vaccine effectively reduces the frequency of Norwalk virus gastroenteritis and infection in healthy adults.
RCTHighly CitedNorovirus Infection in Older Adults: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Opportunities for Prevention and Control.
Norovirus infection in older adults causes severe outcomes, particularly in long-term care facilities and hospitals, and current diagnostic platforms and vaccines show potential for prevention and control.
Literature ReviewLong-term features of norovirus gastroenteritis in the elderly.
Norovirus gastroenteritis in elderly individuals can persist for up to 19 days, with non-specific symptoms persisting for up to 19 days, and infection control guidelines should consider long-term excretion and prodromal excretion.
Observational StudyHighly CitedNorovirus Infections and Disease in Lower-Middle- and Low-Income Countries, 1997–2018
Norovirus causes significant gastroenteritis in low-resource countries, with a high prevalence of asymptomatic infection in low-income countries and a high prevalence of coinfections.
Systematic ReviewHighly CitedNorovirus gastroenteritis causes severe and lethal complications after chemotherapy and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.
Norovirus gastroenteritis is a major threat to immunosuppressed patients undergoing chemotherapy or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and rigorous preventive measures are needed to minimize transmission.
Observational StudyHighly CitedChronic norovirus infection among solid organ recipients in a tertiary care hospital, the Netherlands, 2006-2014.
Chronic norovirus infection is not rare among solid organ transplant recipients in a tertiary-care hospital.
Observational StudyNoroviruses are highly infectious but there is strong variation in host susceptibility and virus pathogenicity.
Norovirus infectivity and pathogenicity vary significantly, with high infectivity among secretor positives and protection in secretor negatives.
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