Frequency and Prognosis of Noroviral infection

The commonest infection in vogue is the common cold and next in line would be Norovirus infection. Although the viral gastroenteritis is caused by a number of viruses but it is estimated that Norovirus infection ranges around one-third of all viral gastroenteritis that occurs in the 6 to 24-month age group. The number of individuals who have experienced Noroviral infection is very high in the developing countries. In the United States the number of incidence increases with age and reaches about 50% of the population over 18 years of age. The immunity gained from experiencing one infection of Norovirus is not permanent and re-infection may occur. Some scientists believe that some blood groups have some immunity against the Noroviral infection.

Symptoms of Noroviral infection occur around 24 to 48 hours later from the exposure but in some cases it can be as short as 12 hours. This disorder being self limiting in nature lasts about 24 to 60 hours. The severity of the symptoms depend upon the age and health standard of the affected person. Hospital admissions are rarely needed though many patients are treated in the emergency due to severity of symptoms.

People who have not been affected by the virus or any related viruses in the last 24 months are susceptible to infection by Norovirus. The virus affects the elder age group and not the neonates and babies. The number of deaths by Norovirus infection is isolated to groups with low immunity, old age, or very young people who are affected by it.

Most of the deaths are caused by dehydration, lack of vitality and immunity, lack of care and treatment combined with shock produced by virulence of the virus as well as severity of the symptoms. Among the complications are shock and death and also if the episode is prolonged it paves the way for opportunistic infections.