Norwalk Virus

 

Norovirus

 

Diseases Caused

Causes Gastroenteritis

 

Virus Structure

Grouped as 'small round structured virus'

Virus has icosahedral symmetry with hexagonal-spherical capsids

 

Transmitted

Present in feces, infected transmit the virus to others when hands are not thoroughly washed after a bowel movement

Ingetsted through food or contaminated drinking water via sewage or ice

 

Prevention

Hand washing and surface sanitizing

 

Type of Body Cell

Positive-sensed, single stranded RNA

 

Symptoms of Infection

24-48 hours after exposure, symptoms of diarrhea, abdominal pain, muscle aches, headaches, tiredness, low grade fever occur and last 24-48 hours and subside on own

 

Body Defence

The virus subsides on its own and immunity lasts 14 weeks

 

Treatments or Vaccines

No treatments or vaccines for the virus

 

5 Interesting Facts

Stool sample required to test and diagnose

Airborne transmission causes fast spreading in institutional settings

Illness commonly occurs in the winter

Also known as Food Poisoning and Stomach Flu

Everyone is susceptible to infection, more occuring in small children and elderly adults

 

 

 

 

 

 

    NOROVIRUS Norwalk virus

 

Disease and disorder caused by virus

   -winter vomiting disease

   -viral gastroenteritis

   -acute non-bacterial gastroenteritis

   -food poisoning

   -stomach flu

 

 

 

How Virus is Transmitted

  -Eating contaminated food/drinks

      -food handlers not washing their hands

-Touching contaminated surfaces and placing hand in mouth or eating before washing hands

- direct contact with someone infected  (sharing utensils, caring for others etc.)

 

 

How can transmission be prevented?

 

-         washing hands frequently can reduce spreading (alcohol based sanitizers can help reduce spread)

-         when infected person vomits, the virus can be released into the air (as aerosols)

 

 

 

 Body cells that get attacked

-Inflammation to the stomach and to the small and large intestines

 

 

Symptoms of infection

-         main symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps

-         other minor symptoms include headaches, fever/chills and muscle aches

 

 

How does the body defend itself?

 

-         Body reacts by vomiting and diarrhea in order to release the virus or even particles out of the system

 

Vaccines or treatments?

 

-         there are no vaccines because there are many types of the virus and because antibiotics only target bacteria and not viruses

-          Treatment = stay hydrated by drinking many fluids (water)

-         the danger of this virus is dehydration from vomiting and diarrhea

 

 

 

Five interesting Facts

-         cant be prevented, only reduced chance of spreading

-         very often in cruise ships due to mishandling of foods

-         many cases are also in daycare areas with children and older residents

-         infected people cannot control vomit

-         can easily prevented but many food handlers forget to wash hands and are careless when preparing foods properly etc. 

 

 

 

 

     By Ben Che

Block D~

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Norwalk Virus”

 

1.      Virus name

The Norwalk virus is also known as NLV (Norwalk-like viruses), Noroviruses or caliciviruses (they belong to the caliciviridae virus family).

2.      Disease or disorder caused by virus

Illnesses caused by the noroviruses are stomach flu, viral gastroenteritis, acute gastroenteritis, non-bacterial gastroenteritis, food poisoning, and calicivirus infection.

3.      Description of virus structure

The norovirus is a sound round 27-nm virion. It belongs to the calicivirus family. It has nucleic acid, which contains single-stranded, positive-sense RNA. It also has one structural protein trait/characteristic of a calicivirus.  

 

 

 

 

4.      How is the virus transmitted?

The Norwalk virus must be swallowed to have an affect and to cause infection. Ways for this to happen are being in close contact with some who has it or has recently had it, eating/drinking foods or liquids that are infected with the virus, touching contaminated substances and then putting your hands in your mouth.

5.      How can transmitting be prevented?

Keep good hygiene and constantly wash your hands to keep them clean. Also make sure all food is prepared and eaten properly. This includes making sure the preparation areas are clean before using, washing all fruits and vegetables thoroughly before you eat them, and completely cooking your food and serving it while it’s still hot. Flush and wash the toilet after use to make sure it is kept clean. Do this by first cleaning the toilet with hot, soapy water then use a bleach-based household cleaner to disinfect it. Also change out contaminated clothes to keep clean.

6.      Describe the type of body cells attacked?

The norovirus attacks the cells in the stomach and the intestines.

7.      What are the symptoms of the infection?

The symptoms of the Norwalk virus are nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps. Other people may also have chills, a mild fever, muscle and headaches, and fatigue. Note that people can get dehydrated if they have severe diarrhea and vomiting.

8.      How does the body defend itself?

The body doesn’t and can’t defend itself. Even though most adults have serum and local gastrointestinal tract antibiotics against the Norwalk virus they are not protective, but instead it may increase and represent risk factors and are marker for the illness. (The virus is only temporary).

9.      Are there any treatments/vaccines?

There are no preventative treatments, vaccines, or antiviral medication for the Norwalk virus. This is because antibiotics attack and fight bacteria and not viruses.

10. 5 interesting facts.

-          Noroviruses can survive and live on practically any hard surface (examples: doorknobs, sinks, glassware, and railings) in the environment for up to 12 hours.

-          People can still be contagious for as long as 2 weeks after their symptoms have ended.

-          Almost 50% of all the outbreaks of acute infectious, nonbacterial gastroenteritis in the U.S.A. was caused by the Norwalk virus.

-          The Norwalk virus infects older children and adults more than babies and infants.

-          In the U.S.A. the Norwalk virus are often linked to raw oysters.

 

 

 

 

 

By Elen Kuramoto

Block D~