Joseph R. Anticaglia, M. D.
Medical Advisory Board
Dana is a 29 y/o marketing executive who woke up one winter morning “feeling sick.” She told her husband, “I feel tired, nauseated, and have mild stomach cramps.” It wasn’t long afterwards, she suddenly experienced the onset of vomiting, and diarrhea. Her husband encouraged her to drink liquids, but it only caused her to vomit more. The miserable morning led to dehydration, and by early afternoon she was receiving intravenous fluids in the Emergency Department of her local hospital.
The doctors informed Dana that her problem was caused by Noroviruses, a group of viruses that can cause gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. The viruses are wrongly called the “stomach flu” or “stomach bug”, but it’s not related to the flu.
Noroviruses are very contagious, and found in the feces (and vomit) of infected individuals. From there, the viruses spread to food, water, surfaces, or through shaking hands with people who have not adequately washed their hands after using the bathroom.
Typical symptoms of norovirus infection include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping. Less frequently, headache, muscle aches, and low grade fever. Usually, the symptoms come on suddenly one, or two days after ingesting the virus. Sometimes infected people have no symptom but can pass the norovirus to others.
Noroviruses are very contagious, and are found in the feces (and vomit) of infected individuals. From there, the viruses spread by ingesting contaminated food, drinking contaminated water, touching contaminated surfaces, or through contact with infected people who have not adequately washed their hands after using the bathroom.
Dana was advised that her symptoms ought to resolve within one to two days, to rest, remain well hydrated, and not to return to work until a few days after she had no symptoms…
Norovirus is the most common cause of vomiting and diarrhea, and foodborne illness in the United States. It affects people of all ages, and is the leading cause of gastroenteritis globally resulting in about 685 million cases of the disease, and 200,000 deaths a year. Proper handwashing with soap, and water helps prevent getting and spreading this disease.
Noroviruses are also called Norwalk- like viruses because viral particles were first identified in stools from adults with gastroenteritis in Norwalk, Ohio. It is sometimes referred to as “winter vomiting disease.”
This article is intended solely as a learning experience. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options.
