Hyderabad: The researchers of Gandhi Hospital and Ella Foundation, Hyderabad have conveyed that a new variant of Norovirus has been founded among pediatric gastroenteritis patients in the city. The new variant of the virus leads to severe diarrhea in all age groups.
A study has been conducted by microbiologists for Norovirus in children below 5 years in the city. The study was done by collecting the stool samples and clinical data from 458 children below 5 years of age and the control group.
What is Norovirus?
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. This virus can affect people of all ages. It is sometimes called stomach flu or stomach bug. However, Norovirus illness is not related to the flu which is caused by the influenza virus.
Causes of Norovirus:
Norovirus can be caused because of
- Having direct contact with an infected person
- Consuming contaminated food or water
- Touching contaminated surfaces and then putting unwashed hands inside the mouth
Symptoms:
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- fever
- stomach pain
- headache
- nausea
- body aches
Prevention:
You can protect yourself and others from Norovirus infection by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water and following any simple tips to prevent the infection of Norovirus. It is to be notified that hand sanitizers are not better than washing hands with water and soap for getting rid of the virus.
Treatment:
Actually, there is no certain medicine to cure Norovirus infection. If anyone is infected with Norovirus, they should drink plenty of liquids to replace fluid lost from vomiting and diarrhea. This will protect you from the issue of dehydration. It is necessary to observe dehydration in children. Children who suffer dehydration may cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or drowsy.