dosage24:30What do I need to know about norovirus?
For Edward Chow, a first-year biochemistry student at the University of Guelph, symptoms appeared shortly after lunch on Monday.
“I just felt something in my stomach and I just started throwing up and I had to go to the toilet several times,” he said. “It was really bad.”
The University of Guelph is responding to a self-reported stomach illness outbreak that has affected more than 150 people. The outbreak is part of a growing trend of stomach worms that cause vomiting and diarrhea.
The Public Health Agency of Canada confirmed in an email that it is seeing higher-than-expected case counts of norovirus. Health authorities in US and UK An increase in norovirus cases has also been reported.
Tests have not yet confirmed whether the University of Guelph gastroenteritis outbreak was caused by norovirus, but a spokesperson for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health told CBC the symptoms are consistent with a norovirus infection.
The school has stepped up its cleaning protocols, especially in washrooms and common areas, said Melinda Scott, vice-provost for student affairs at the University of Guelph.
Infectious disease specialist and associate professor at McMaster University. Jain Chagla says the number of seasonal norovirus cases is increasing because of the winter weather, but also because people are no longer engaging in measures such as physical distancing that were encouraged during COVID-10. 19 to stop the spread of the pandemic virus.
“We blocked the patterns, they are now back to normal,” Chagla said dosage Host Dr. Brian Goldman.
Canadian cases of norovirus are expected to rise above the five-year average between 2019 and 2023, according to preliminary data from PHAC's National Enteric Surveillance Program. Increases were noted in several provinces, including Alberta, Ontario, BC, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and PEI.
Chagla also offered another explanation for the high case counts: Physicians may be diagnosing it more often as a result of better testing capacity and as a result of the post-COVID emphasis on diagnosis to help control infection.
What is norovirus?
Norovirus is a highly contagious group of viruses that is responsible for 90 percent of all epidemic gastroenteritis outbreaks. According to PHAC.
A 2017 Modeling Review Looking at the reproduction rate of norovirus, it was concluded that one person infected with norovirus can infect anywhere between one and seven other people. By comparison, measles—considered one of the most contagious viruses—is one Estimated Basic Fertility Number June takes place between 12th and 18th.
While norovirus is present year-round, it is often referred to as the “winter vomiting bug” because of its prevalence during the winter months.
Common symptoms of norovirus infection include nausea, abdominal pain and cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. Symptoms usually resolve within 12 to 72 hours.
Infectious disease specialist and professor at the University of Alberta. “It's the kind of thing where people sometimes sleep on the bathroom floor for 12 to 24 hours,” Linora Saxinger said.
Cases of norovirus, a nasty stomach bug that can keep you up for days, are on the rise again in Canada, hitting pre-pandemic levels. They are surpassing that mark in the UK, and growing in the US as well
Fever, chills and headache are other symptoms, she said.
Doctors recommend drinking water to prevent dehydration that can cause norovirus symptoms.
“Young children … elderly people, people with kidney disease, dehydration for a significant period of time can compromise them and they may need health care to deal with it,” Chagla said.
How is norovirus spread?
The virus is spread through the fecal-oral route when infected stool particles reach someone's mouth. Daycares, preschools and care homes are common sites for outbreaks, and it's not uncommon for an infected child to transmit norovirus to their parents or guardians.
Chagla said she and her family got norovirus after one of her children came home sick from day care.
“One morning you wake up, and it's like, 'Now it's my turn,'” he said.
Norovirus can survive on almost any surface — including door handles, sinks, table tops and glassware — for up to 12 hours on hard surfaces or up to 12 days on contaminated carpets. UK National Health Service.
Norovirus infection can also be spread through food and drink. Health Canada A recall was issued for Taylor Brand oysters In Ontario, BC and Alberta in December due to concerns Possible norovirus contamination.
How to treat norovirus
According to Chagla, in most cases, norovirus is treated by letting the infection run its course and staying as hydrated as possible.
Water and electrolyte drinks like Gatorade and Pedialyte are good options, he said, adding that people with norovirus usually have stomach upsets that require a slightly modified diet.
The US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases To avoid exacerbating diarrhea symptoms, it is recommended to avoid drinks high in caffeine and sugar, as well as fried foods and other foods high in fat.
Chagla said over-the-counter medications to treat nausea and diarrhea can help people get through the early stages of symptoms, but he urged caution before taking an anti-diarrheal drug like Imodium. “There is a physiological reason for passing stool during the diarrheal phase,” he said.
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For his family, Chagla says he will first make sure there is no fever, and no blood in the stool, before taking the Imodium.
Saxinger says prescription anti-nausea drugs such as ondansetron — sold under the brand name Zofran — can also help relieve and reduce episodes of severe vomiting.
Because norovirus is able to survive on surfaces longer than other common winter infectious diseases—eg RSV and the flu – Experts recommend cleaning high-touch areas regularly to avoid infecting other people in the household.
“When I'm looking for a cleaner, I look for a disinfectant product that the manufacturer claims is effective against viruses like norovirus,” said Kerry Criderman, executive director of environmental services at the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SAHA).
Kriederman said SHA relies on a systematic approach when cleaning up facilities.
People in the house can use similar strategies to avoid spreading the infection, such as using different clothes in different parts of the house.
Criderman said employees also make sure to clean high-touch areas — such as doorknobs, light switches, handrails and faucets — to minimize the spread of germs.
According to Chagla, norovirus is resistant to alcohol-based hand sanitizers. He encourages people to wash their hands regularly with soap and warm water before, during and after developing symptoms to better protect against the spread of infection.
Vaccines are in development
There are relatively few treatments for norovirus, but measles has vaccine candidates that have shown some promise.
Moderna, which has developed an mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, currently There is a third phase test mRNA for norovirus vaccine. In 2024, Vaxart announced The first phase of testing has been completed For oral norovirus vaccine.
“Gastrointestinal viruses are actually neutralized by antibodies in our gut, which is a specific response that's a little different than other vaccines that we trigger in people,” Chagla said.
“So hopefully we'll see the benefits.”
