The norovirus can tolerate extreme temperatures, so it is hard to kill. Photo by: GrahamColm
The norovirus is highly-contagious virus that causes irritation in the stomach and intestines; resulting in stomach cramps, vomiting, and diarrhea. The norovirus is so widespread that about one in 15 Americans will catch the norovirus every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The norovirus is one of the viruses that can cause food poisoning; according to the CDC, leafy greens, shellfish (especially oysters), and fresh fruit are the most common foods associated with the norovirus. So how do you get this virus, and is there a drug to prevent the painful symptoms? Here are five facts you may not know about the norovirus.
Norovirus Fact One: Possible Anti-viral Drug to Prevent and Treat Stomach Flu
Currently there is no vaccine or anti-viral drug to fight the norovirus, but a Kansas State University team lead by associate professor Kyeong-Ok Chang is working towards an antiviral drug that may help both prevent and treat the norovirus. So why hasn’t there been a drug to combat the norovirus yet? The problem with the norovirus is that it doesn’t grow in cells like other viruses, and growing the virus in a cell is the best way to determine if a drug will work against the virus. With the norovirus, researchers had to develop their own cell-based assay. ‘Cell based assay’ is a term to describe different experiments based on live cells which offer a more accurate picture of what would happen in a real-life scenario.
Norovirus Fact Two: Water May Be Spreading Stomach Flu
According to UPI, half of the norovirus cases in the United States can be traced back to fresh produce. So how does the norovirus get on our fruits and vegetables? By water. Dutch scientists from the Center of Infectious Diseases in the Netherlands have explained how water could possibly be spreading the norovirus. Farmers use a variety of water sources from well water to river water, all of which may contain the norovirus. They use this contaminated water to dilute pesticides and then spray them onto our fruits and vegetables.
Norovirus Fact Three: A New Strain of Viral Gastroenteritis Every Three Years
The norovirus changes its game up by developing a new strain of the virus every two to three years, according to the CDC. The last new strain was in 2009, now in 2012 another new strain emerged; this one called GII 4. Sydney. This virus first appeared in March 2012 in Sydney, Australia. This strain of viral gastroenteritis has had outbreaks in Europe, the United States, as well as other countries.
Click to Read Page Two: A Virus By Another Name
I just got over it, and it was pretty bad… It’s been awhile since I’ve been so sick… The only thing I can say is that you just have to ride it out, and hopefully you can get some Zofran or phenergran for the nausea and vomiting… That was the only thing that actually gave me any relief… and I wouldn’t recommend taking it right at the onset of the vomiting..I would let some of that get out of your system first .. That’s just my opinion, I’m not a doctor.. but it seemed to work for me…
The zofran only works for so long! The anti diarrhea will have u constipated and your stomach will cramp even more.this is the most horrible sickness I’ve ever encountered. Staying hydrated and incorporating the BRAT diet is efficient. Also stay away from greasy,spicy, sugary,and also whole grains. Productso while your experiencing the stomach flu.
I got it and used Zofran to combat the symptoms. It was a godsend!