Disease control warnings in many places: Norovirus is coming! How can we protect ourselves?

Recently, disease control departments in many places have issued warnings : acute infectious diarrhea caused by norovirus has entered its peak period, reminding everyone to take protective measures. So how can parents protect their children? Let's find out!

What is Norovirus? What are its characteristics?

Norovirus is currently one of the main pathogens that cause acute gastroenteritis. Norovirus has the characteristics of rapid mutation , strong environmental resistance , low infection dose , short incubation period after infection, rapid onset , long detoxification time , fast transmission speed , and universal susceptibility of the entire population .

What are the transmission routes of Norovirus?

Norovirus is mainly excreted through the patient's feces or vomit, so the transmission routes include: fecal-oral route; vomitus droplets containing virus particles transmitted through the air; infection through ingestion of contaminated food and water, etc.

What are the symptoms of norovirus infection?

After being infected with norovirus, people are prone to nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc. Compared with other gastroenteritis caused by most viruses, vomiting during norovirus infection is more obvious, and children are more likely to vomit than adults. Although norovirus infection is mainly a self-limiting disease , a small number of cases can still develop into severe illness or even death.

How to treat norovirus infection?

Currently, there are no specific antiviral drugs or vaccines for Norovirus, and the only treatment is supportive and symptomatic treatment.

Fluid therapy

For children with mild to moderate dehydration due to acute gastroenteritis, oral rehydration therapy is the preferred first-line treatment for fluid and electrolyte losses. For children with severe dehydration, intravenous rehydration is required.

diet

During acute gastroenteritis, after rehydration, an age-appropriate diet should be resumed as soon as possible. Infants and young children can continue to be breastfed, and those who are formula-fed can choose low-lactose or lactose-free formulas. There are no dietary restrictions for older children, who can consume carbohydrates, lean meat, yogurt, fruits and vegetables. It is not recommended to consume high-concentration monosaccharides such as sugary drinks and high-fat foods .

Zinc supplementation

Zinc loss increases during acute diarrhea, and children with acute infectious diarrhea need zinc supplementation. Children <6 months old should supplement 10 mg of elemental zinc per day, and children >6 months old should supplement 20 mg of elemental zinc per day for 10 to 14 days.

Probiotics

In addition, probiotics can be used to regulate intestinal flora. There is evidence that probiotics are particularly effective for watery diarrhea caused by viral infections.

Antidiarrhea drugs

When children have frequent diarrhea, montmorillonite can be used to reduce the frequency and volume of diarrheal bowel movements.

Notice:

There is no need to use antibiotics for acute gastroenteritis caused by Norovirus, parents need to pay attention!

How to prevent norovirus infection?

1. Keep your hands clean . Wash your hands properly, including the sick children and parents who take care of them. Wash your hands frequently, especially before meals and after defecation. Wash your hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds . Note: Alcohol cannot kill norovirus , so we cannot use alcohol-based disinfectant wipes or hand sanitizers to remove norovirus.

2. Disinfect the environment and surfaces. You can use chlorine-containing disinfectants to disinfect the environment or surfaces. The feces and vomit of sick children contain a large number of viruses, so try to use a dedicated toilet or toilet, and disinfect the toilet and environment. Wear personal protective equipment during disinfection and keep your hands clean.

3. Develop good living habits. Do not drink raw water, keep raw and cooked food separate, and make sure that shellfish and other foods with a high risk of norovirus infection are thoroughly cooked. If a family member is infected with norovirus, try to avoid contact with children and be careful not to cook food.

References

1. Liao Qiaohong et al. Technical Guidelines for Norovirus Outbreak Investigation and Prevention and Control (2015 Edition)[J]. Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2016, 50(01): 7-16.

2. Chen Jie et al. Clinical practice guidelines for acute infectious diarrhea in children in China[J]. Chinese Journal of Pediatrics, 2016, 54(07): 483-488.

3. Götz H, et al. Clinical spectrum and transmission characteristics of infection with Norwalk-like virus: findings from a large community outbreak in Sweden[J]. Clin Infect Dis, 2001, 33(5): 622-628.

4. Fubao Y. Clinical study on infantile lactose intolerance[J]. J Clin Pediatr, 2010, 28(5):496-498.

(Children's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University, author: Wang Zhonglan; reviewer: Wu Xuexin)