Norovirus cases not uncommon

Norovirus case numbers not uncommon: Currently no specific accumulation of norovirus cases.

(20.07.2010) Increasing numbers of norovirus diseases have been reported in the media in recent days. It could thus easily give the impression that there is currently an acute norovirus wave. This is not the case as the infection control expert Dr. Verena Bochat explained.

In Thuringia and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, children had to be admitted to hospital because of a strong suspicion of Norovirus infection. In addition, a whole summer camp had to be closed near Sondershausen. Around 400 children were sent home, 40 people had to be hospitalized. But the situation is calm overall, as health authorities assure. There is currently no particular accumulation of contagion: "We are currently experiencing no extraordinary accumulation," said Dr. Verena Bochat, infection control expert.

Norovirus is a highly contagious disease in the gastrointestinal tract. Typical symptoms are very strong diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Due to the strong diarrhea patients lose a lot of fluid and it threatens an internal dehydration of the body. Therefore, a norovirus infection must be taken seriously. The treatment preferably takes place via infusions in order to supply the body with sufficient liquid and electrolytes again. The disease lasts on average for one to three days. In most cases, the virus infection heals without consequences for the patient.

But children, the elderly and the chronically ill are particularly endangered, since extremely much fluid is removed from the body by the sudden diarrhea. Therefore, medical treatment should be taken seriously in case of suspected norovirus infection. (Sb)

Also read:
Holiday camp cleared after infection
Norovirus infection? Around 40 children in the hospital

Image: Stephanie Hofschlaeger, Pixelio.de.