What is Norovirus?

About Norovirus

• The Norovirus, also known as the "winter vomiting bug," causes vomiting and diarrhoea.
• Infection agents:  The most common infective agent is contaminated water or food.
• The virus spreads via faeces to the mouth. Consuming contaminated food or liquids, touching contaminated surfaces or objects, or coming into direct contact with an infected person.
• Symptoms: Acute gastroenteritis is caused by inflammation of the stomach or intestine. Diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach ache are also symptoms. Fever, headaches, and muscle pain may also persist.
• The symptoms usually appear 12 to 48 hours after the virus has been exposed.
• It affects particularly children, the elderly, and people suffering from other illnesses.
• Severity: Although these virus outbreaks are rarely severe, they can spread quickly if proper precautions are not taken.

 

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Q1) What is a virus?

A virus is an infectious agent of small size and simple composition that can multiply only in living cells of animals, plants, or bacteria.

Source: Norovirus cases detected in Kerala: what is this virus and how dangerous is it?