picture/IC photo
On March 15, a reporter from the Beijing News learned from Beijing Children’s Hospital Shunyi Women’s and Children’s Hospital that some children with vomiting have recently appeared in the pediatric outpatient department of the hospital, some with fever and diarrhea, and most of the cases are Aggregate disease. Combined with the child’s clinical symptoms and routine blood tests, the doctor diagnosed norovirus gastroenteritis.
Shunyi Women’s and Children’s Hospital pediatrician Zhao Jiawei introduced that norovirus is a human Caliciviridae single-stranded RNA virus, containing 7 genotypes , is one of the common non-bacterial pathogens causing acute gastroenteritis. Norovirus gastroenteritis is distributed throughout the year, with a high incidence from October to March of the following year, so it is also called winter vomiting disease. In recent years, norovirus infection has been on the rise in my country, and the scale of outbreaks is large. It is the main causative agent of collective fulminant gastroenteritis in schools and restaurants.
Norovirus gastroenteritis occurs in children and the elderly, especially children under 6 years old. Such as viral infection caused by acute gastroenteritis, severe cases can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and other serious complications. The source of infection of the disease is norovirus gastroenteritis patients, invisible infections or pathogen carriers. The fecal-oral route is the main way of transmission. Transmission from water sources (bottled water, municipal water supply), food (raw vegetables, fruits, seafood) or environments contaminated with viruses.
The incubation period of norovirus gastroenteritis infection is mostly 24 to 48 hours, and the onset is acute. The main symptoms are vomiting and diarrhea, followed by nausea, abdominal pain, fever and muscle pain. The course of the disease is usually 1-3 days, a few can reach 5 days, and the younger the age, the longer the course of the disease. Vomiting is common in children, and diarrhea is more common in adults. The stool is watery or watery without mucus, pus and blood.
How is an infection treated?
At present, there is no specific antiviral drug, and antibiotics are not needed. Generally, the symptoms are mild, self-limiting, and the prognosis is good. Antiemetic, antidiarrheal, and prevention of dehydration are the key points. Children can drink a small amount of water several times, take oral rehydration saline, and a light diet is appropriate. Oral probiotics and montmorillonite powder can be used as adjuvant therapy. For severe vomiting and dehydration, intravenous fluids must be used, and specific medication needs to be carried out under the guidance of a doctor.
How can I prevent norovirus infection?
There are no specific medicines and vaccines yet. Frequent hand washing is the most effective preventive measure. Washing with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds (six-step handwashing method), hand sanitizer and hand sanitizer are not a substitute for hand washing, especially before meals and after defecation. Vegetables and fruits should be thoroughly rinsed and dishes should be heated thoroughly. Infected children need to be isolated until 72 hours after symptoms have completely disappeared, and post-infection is not lifelong immunity.
Beijing News reporter Wang Kara
Proofreading Li Ming