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A variant of the Sydney strain is causing the norovirus outbreak in the UK. This variant was first identified in Australia and New Zealand in 2012 and has since been associated with outbreaks worldwide. It is now being called “GII.4 Sydney.” Fortunately, the virus is not hard to avoid. There is no vaccine available yet, but several are in development. To prevent the spread of the virus is by practising good hygiene. You may have heard that the ongoing norovirus outbreak in the UK is due to a new virus strain. In this article, we will learn about what is Norovirus? Is Norovirus Airborne? Symptoms of NoroVirus.
What is Norovirus?
Norovirus is a very contagious disease that affects the stomach and intestines. It spreads quickly, usually by people being exposed to the virus when they eat contaminated food or drink contaminated water. The virus can spread easily from person to person, making it hard to contain once it starts.
You can get norovirus in many ways:
- eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water
- touching surfaces or objects with norovirus on them, then putting your fingers in your mouth
- Having direct contact with an infected person (such as caring for someone with the illness, sharing foods, or eating utensils with someone who is ill).
Is Norovirus Airborne?
Norovirus is a virus that causes inflammation of the stomach or intestines. It’s related to the same viruses that cause the common cold and flu, but it typically has more serious symptoms. Norovirus spreads easily through tiny airborne droplets from vomit or poop that can land on food, furniture, counters, and other surfaces. It can also spread if someone touches a contaminated surface and then touches their mouth, nose, or eyes. And finally, norovirus can spread through faecal-oral contact if someone swallows something contaminated.
The most common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, which often occur suddenly within one to two days after being exposed to the virus. Vomiting often occurs more frequently than diarrhoea. Some people with norovirus illness do not have any symptoms at all. The best way to prevent norovirus is by washing hands thoroughly with soap and water right away after using the bathroom or changing diapers and before eating food or preparing food.
Symptoms of NoroVirus
Individuals who are young children or older adults are at an increased risk of becoming seriously ill with norovirus. It is important to practice good hygiene, including frequent handwashing and the disinfection of surfaces that may be contaminated. Noroviruses can cause foodborne illness if you eat contaminated food or drink contaminated water. Other precautions you can take to reduce your risk include avoiding touching your eyes, nose, and mouth; avoiding sharing food and drinks with others; washing fruits and vegetables before eating them; cooking seafood thoroughly; and avoiding the preparation of foods for others when you are sick.
Symptoms usually only last for a few days. Symptoms typically begin 1 or 2 days after eating something that has the virus in it. At first, you may feel very sick and vomit often, but then you will start to feel better after a day or two. You are most likely to spread the virus when you have symptoms. But sometimes, people with norovirus illness can be contagious for up to 2 weeks after they feel better. If a person has norovirus illness, he or she should not prepare food while they have symptoms and for 3 days after they recover from their illness.
How to take Precaution for Norovirus
Since you can spread norovirus before you show any symptoms, it’s important to take precautions when you do start feeling sick:
- Wash your hands frequently with hot water and soap. If there isn’t access to soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser. Wash your hands thoroughly before eating or preparing food, after using the restroom, after changing diapers, and after caring for someone who is ill.
- Avoid contact with people who are sick or showing symptoms of illness. Use alcohol-based hand sanitisers if you must touch a door handle or other surface that may have been contaminated.
- Seek medical attention if symptoms persist. Remedies such as Pedialyte help with rehydration in cases where vomiting has caused dehydration. Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections like norovirus; however, they can be used to prevent bacterial infections that may result from a weakened immune system due to prolonged vomiting and diarrhoea.
Conclusion
You should also be cautious about sharing drinks or food with others since this may allow the virus to spread from person to person. If you’re travelling through areas where an outbreak has occurred, it’s wise to carry hand sanitiser with you so that you can wash your hands even if a sink isn’t readily accessible. Avoid preparing food for others until at least two days have passed since your symptoms stopped. People don’t get sick from whatever germs are still on their bodies or clothing, even if they feel fine again. In this article, we learned about what is Norovirus? Is Norovirus Airborne?Symptoms of NoroVirus.
