Norovirus, aka stomach flu, in 2023: What to know about symptoms, and treatment. Norovirus causes vomiting and diarrhea. Here's what you need to know about symptoms, treatment and prevention. The peak of norovirus season 2023 may be over, but the highly contagious stomach bug is still circulating in the United States.
Highly viral, norovirus can trigger painful bouts of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea in those who touch contaminated surfaces or share direct contact with someone who is sick, highlighting the need once more for stringent handwashing.
Norovirus is very contagious. You can catch it by: coming into direct contact with an infected person (via vomit or stool) consuming contaminated food or water.
Common symptoms of norovirus infection include vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping. Less common symptoms can include low-grade fever or chills, headache, and muscle aches. Symptoms usually begin 1 or 2 days after ingesting the virus, but may appear as early as 12 hours after exposure.
Norovirus infection is a type of viral gastroenteritis (also known as 'gastro': inflammation of the stomach and intestines (bowels)). Noroviruses (previously known as Norwalk-like viruses) are small round structured viruses that are members of a group of viruses called caliciviruses.
It's hard to kill
“It's resistant to many common disinfectants,” Hall said. CDC recommends using bleach to kill it, including chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide. That's why health departments often require restaurants to use bleach to clean countertops and kitchen surfaces. It's also able to survive being dried out.
The incubation for norovirus is 12–48 hours, while signs of rotavirus arise at two days. 45. Duration of symptoms: Norovirus symptoms don't last as long, about one to three days; whereas rotavirus infections linger longer, for about three to eight days.
Foods to eat include clear broths, crackers, toast, gelatin, bananas, rice and chicken. Avoid certain foods until you feel better. These foods include dairy products, alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, processed foods, and fatty, spicy or highly seasoned foods. Be cautious with medications.
How long are people contagious? People infected with norovirus are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill to at least 3 days after recovery.
Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen or if you experience any of the following: Bloody stool or bloody vomit. Inability to keep any fluids down. Diarrhea lasting more than three days.
Food poisoning doesn't just come on faster than the stomach flu — it also runs its course more quickly. Dr. Ford says viral gastroenteritis generally lingers for two days, although sometimes, it can last longer. In contrast, food poisoning “hopefully is going to be out of your system sooner than that,” Dr.
Gastroenteritis caused by the Rotavirus
Stools will often have a milky muddy water color which can be lemon yellow to milky white with a strong smell. The infection may be accompanied with a high-grade fever.
Diarrhea, stomach pain and vomiting typically begin 12 to 48 hours after exposure. Norovirus infection symptoms usually last 1 to 3 days. Most people recover completely without treatment.
Most of the time, diarrhea is simply your gut's way of getting rid of a harmful invader, like a bacteria or virus.
COVID-19-related diarrhea and nausea
Diarrhea caused by COVID-19 tends to be more watery, yellow or green in color. It may be accompanied by cramping and bloating. If you have COVID-19, you will likely develop other symptoms within a day or two, such as fever, cough, congestion and/or loss of taste and smell.
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, fever, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and pain. In severe cases, you may become dehydrated and have an electrolyte imbalance. Bacterial gastroenteritis is sometimes treated with antibiotics.