Norovirus Breakout in India: All You Need to Know

What is Norovirus?

Norovirus is a group of viruses that cause severe gastrointestinal diseases in humans by the inflammation of the lining of the intestines and the stomach.

This animal-borne disease is highly contagious and can spread through direct contact with the infected person or by consuming contaminated food and water.

It can also spread if someone touches a surface contaminated with the virus and later touches their mouth without washing their hands.

Generally, the symptoms of norovirus develop in a person within 12 to 48 hours of getting exposed to it. The most common symptoms of norovirus are vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea and nausea.

However, some people have also experienced headaches, fever and body ache after getting infected with norovirus.

Doctors have recommended several ways to prevent contracting norovirus, which include washing hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating food or medicines, giving medicines to other people, and after using the bathroom.

People should also carefully wash fruits & vegetables before consumption and clean or disinfect frequently-touched surfaces often.

Further, people infected with norovirus should avoid cooking food for other people to lower the chances of transmission.