Transmission electron micrograph of the genus Norovirus, and the family Caliciviridae. They are a group of related, single-stranded RNA, nonenveloped viruses that cause acute gastroenteritis in humans.
Image Credit: CDC/ Charles D. Humphrey
Nasty, contagious norovirus is 'everywhere' now explains that one in fifteen Americans suffered an unpleasant stomach bug in the last year. Although we describe most politely as the stomach flu, it is really a norovirus infection.
Wikipedia reminds us that a norovirus is an RNA virus, which incidentally is responsible for 90 percent of the world's nonbacterial suffering of gastroenteritis. Noroviruses are easily transmitted from person to person and only one to ten virus particles are necessary to infect the victim. The infection begins in the small intestine and within one to two days, the stomach flu symptoms are present for up to 60 hours.
In case you are fuzzy about RNA viruses, they can have one or two RNA strands. These are different from the larger class of viruses, those that have DNA as genetic material. Some of the strains that result in gastroenteritis include the Norwalk, Hawaii, and Snow Mountain. They have carbohydrate binding receptors which allows them to attach to food molecules. Researchers are working on vaccines, but nothing is available yet. Also, because the virus mutates rapidly, annual boosters will be required.
The CDC has a norovirus website with some tips on avoiding the infection and what to expect if you catch it. As you probably know from experience, you don't obtain an immunity to the virus. Because of the vomiting and diarrhea, dehydration can be a medical problem.
Their suggestions on preventing the spread of norovirus: a) wash your hands (interestingly, the CDC says that alcohol-based hand sanitizers are not as good as washing with soap and water) b) proper hygiene in the kitchen, and don't prepare food if you are infected, c) clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces, and d) wash laundry throroughly.
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