Identification of Norovirus

Around 55% of all the gastroenteritis outbreaks are caused by viral attacks and predominantly Noroviruses. The outbreak in Norwalk has led to the nomenclature of Norwalk viruses or Norwalk like viruses. The first recorded outbreak or Norovirus occurred in Norwalk, an attack of acute gastroenteritis among children of an elementary school in November 1968. The saved stool samples from the attack were viewed under an electron microscope in 1972 and this virus was identified. The virus looks spherical and was first termed as “small round structured viruses”. It was only after cloning and sequencing the virus it was identified as a member of the Calciviridae class. Ever since that outbreak, similar outbreaks of the same nature have been noted in different sites.

The nature of this disease is self-limiting. It is characterized by nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and associated abdominal pain. Apart from these symptoms, this malady is associated with malaise, general lethargy, weakness, muscle aches, headaches and sometimes low-grade fever. The disease being self-limiting is not that dangerous to life but in case of very young patients where dehydration and shock occurs easily.

In those cases maintenance of proper fluid and electrolyte balance is very essential. Apart from this symptomatic treatment is also done to prevent any occurrence of shock and associated weakness. Persistence of symptoms should be avoided at all costs as that will lead to weakening of the vitality and pave the way for associated infections. The immunity level comes down and opportunistic infections occur which are extremely difficult to treat and cure. Rest, plenty of fluids along with proper electrolyte input, are an important part of the regimen, and symptoms like body aches, headaches indigestion, are combated with light food, and light medications.

The key to the prognosis of this disease lies in the fact that early detection of the infection and proper diagnosis is primary and affects the outcome of this disease directly.