Many cases of vomiting Unexpectedly drastic onset of norovirus time in Germany

Contagious vomiting diarrhea: norovirus season starts very early this year and violent
Diarrhea, nausea, giddy vomiting: In recent weeks, quite a few people have been infected with norovirus. According to the Robert Koch Institute, this year's norovirus season has started significantly earlier than in previous years. There are ways to protect yourself from infection.

This year's Norovirus season started early
In recent weeks, an unusually high prevalence of norovirus infections has been detected in various regions of Germany. The gastrointestinal infections cause severe discomfort such as diarrhea, vomiting and significant fluid loss. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), this year's Norovirus season has begun much earlier and more vigorously than in previous years.

This year's norovirus season has started significantly earlier and more vigorously than in previous years. Infected people suffer from diarrhea, nausea and giddy vomiting. (Image: VadimGuzhva / fotolia.com)

Over 14,500 cases in November
According to the latest RKI Epidemiological Bulletin, in November more than 14,500 confirmed cases of highly infectious epilepsy were registered nationwide, while in the same period of the previous five years, between 6,131 and 10,884 were reported.

"Years or seasons with an early rise and exceptionally high case numbers have historically been associated with the emergence of a new norovirus genotype," the experts write.

Also this year, a new virus subtype could be partly responsible for the rising number of registrations. But "for a final assessment and prognosis of the course of the norovirus season, the data is not sufficient".

Diseases heaped in community facilities
Noroviruses are highly contagious. According to health experts, the disease usually breaks out quickly after infection, usually between six hours and two to a maximum of three days.

Because of the high contagiousness of the diseases are mostly found in community facilities such as kindergartens, schools, nursing homes and hospitals. Young children and seniors are particularly affected.

Noroviruses are in most cases transmitted via a human-to-human smear infection, either through direct contact with the patient or indirectly through contaminated surfaces with which a patient had contact. This can be, for example, shelves, door handles or wash basins. The viruses easily enter the mouth by hand.

How to protect yourself
In order to prevent infection with the dangerous noroviruses, attention must be paid to conscientious hygiene. The most effective protection against infection is frequent and careful hand washing.

Each towel should be used by one person only. In addition, household surfaces should be cleaned regularly and used cleaning cloths should be used only once if possible.

Infected people should avoid crowding, stay at home, and cure the disease. (Ad)