Stomach cramping to vomiting, top Norovirus signs and symptoms you must know
Stomach cramping to vomiting, top Norovirus signs and symptoms you must know
Norovirus outbreaks are common in winter and can cause gut health symptoms like stomach cramping, vomiting, diarrhoea due to inflammation of stomach or intestines. Norovirus disease usually lasts for 1-3 days and symptoms usually resolve on their own. Norovirus is highly infectious and stays on surfaces and objects for days or weeks. If infected with norovirus, you can spread it from the time you first have symptoms until several days after you recover. Eating or drinking contaminated food or drink, being in close contact with a person who has norovirus, or touching a contaminated surface can lead to norovirus infection. Norovirus can be serious when dehydration caused by is not managed well. Some of the worrying symptoms of norovirus are fatigue, dry mouth, dizziness, listlessness, etc. (Also read | Respiratory infections to allergies; 5 health issues to watch out for as weather transitions to summer)
Norovirus, a highly contagious virus, manifests through a range of signs and symptoms, progressing from stomach cramping to vomiting. Recognizing these indicators is crucial for prompt intervention and containment.
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Dr Neha Rastogi Panda, Consultant, Infectious Diseases, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram shares in detail how the virus can progress from mild stomach cramps to diarrhoea, vomiting and fever.
Norovirus symptoms in early stage
The initial stage often involves mild stomach cramps, causing discomfort that may be dismissed as routine digestive issues.
Progression of norovirus symptoms
However, as the virus takes hold, the cramps intensify, accompanied by nausea. This escalation signifies the virus spreading within the digestive system.
Norovirus symptoms in later stage
Vomiting becomes a prominent and distressing symptom in the later stages of norovirus infection. Sudden and forceful, it can occur repeatedly, leading to dehydration and weakness. The body's attempt to expel the virus contributes to the overall contagion risk, making isolation essential to prevent further transmission.
Simultaneously, individuals infected with norovirus may experience diarrhoea, adding to the challenge of maintaining hydration. The combination of vomiting and diarrhoea underscores the need for vigilant fluid intake to counteract the potential for dehydration, a common complication of norovirus infections.
Beyond gastrointestinal symptoms, individuals with norovirus may also encounter fever and muscle aches. These systemic effects contribute to the overall discomfort and debilitation caused by the virus.
How to manage
Timely recognition of these signs is imperative for implementing effective containment measures. Individuals exhibiting these symptoms should prioritize isolation to prevent the spread of norovirus, especially in communal settings such as schools, healthcare facilities, and cruise ships where outbreaks are prone to occur.
Understanding the progression of norovirus symptoms from stomach cramping to vomiting is essential for swift identification and containment.