Norovirus, colloquially known as the ‘stomach bug’, is traditionally associated with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, experts have highlighted that the virus can present with a range of other symptoms too. The norovirus has been particularly rampant this year with no signs of abating.
As per the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were 426 outbreaks noted in 14 states participating in the NoroSTAT Surveillance Network in December alone, while the first half of January already witnessed 225 outbreaks. For comparison, the peak number of outbreaks recorded during the period of 2012–2020 in the 12 participating states amounted to 275 in December and 158 in early January.
But norovirus symptoms may not manifest uniformly across different individuals. Dr. Amy Edwards, a Pediatric Infectious Diseases physician and Associate Medical Director for Pediatric Infection Control at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, noted that even if two individuals have contracted the same virus, they could exhibit varying symptoms.
Common symptoms of norovirus include nausea, which is often accompanied by diarrhea and vomiting. As per Dr. Shira Doron, the Chief Infection Control Officer for Tufts Medicine, some patients may only exhibit one symptom but many will experience both. Additional clinical features could include fever, chills, fatigue, headache, and body aches. Sometimes, an infected individual may not present any symptoms at all. The symptoms one may display depend considerably on their immune system, the environmental conditions, and the viral load in the body.
Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts to recovering from norovirus. The good part, however, is the short-lived duration of the infection. Dr. Geeta Sood, MD, ScM, an Assistant Professor of Medicine and Hospital Epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, assures that most patients recover within two days without medical intervention. Key self-care measures include ample hydration and contacting a healthcare provider in case symptoms worsen or persist beyond three days.
Another significant detail about norovirus is its high contagiousness and resistance, surviving on surfaces for weeks and requiring bleach to be effectively killed. Due to its rapid mutation, people often do not acquire long-lasting immunity against it. Thoroughly cleaning your living spaces and limiting close contact when sick are critical to minimize norovirus spread.
With such a comprehensive understanding of norovirus, it’s easier to stay prepared against this commonplace infection.
Source: https://www.health.com/unexpected-symptoms-of-norovirus-8787347