Norovirus broke out years ago! Can you get infected after eating New Year's Eve dinner? Doctor: It's easy for one person to benefit the whole family
140,000 people suffer from acute diarrhea in one week! Norovirus outbreak worries
Washing hands frequently with alcohol alone is not enough! With the recent norovirus outbreak, the Taiwan Ministry of Health and Welfare, Centers for Disease Control pointed out that this year (2023), nearly 140,000 people were hospitalized for “acute diarrhea” from January 8 to January 14 alone, which is higher than in 2022. During the same period in 2021, some middle schools also reported that they were sent to the hospital collectively due to clusters of norovirus infections. Taiwan Centers for Disease Control specifically reminds that people of all ages may become infected by ingesting pollutants, touching their hands, touching the mucous membranes of their mouth, nose or eyes, having close contact with patients, or even inhaling droplets in vomit and excrement. Norovirus.
The latest information from Taiwan Centers for Disease Control shows that the symptoms caused by norovirus infection are mainly nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps, which may also be combined with fever, chills, fatigue, headache and muscle aches. Generally speaking, vomiting symptoms are more obvious in younger children. Symptoms usually last from 1 to 10 days, then gradually resolve.
Less than 100 pills will infect Noro. Does it mean that one person will be infected by the whole family?
Jiang Guanyu, an attending physician at the Department of Integrated Medicine, Taipei City Hospital Zhongxing Branch, pointed out that in the past three years, due to the epidemic, Taiwanese people have placed too much emphasis on “washing hands with alcohol.” With the outbreak of the norovirus, Taiwanese are reminded that they should gradually develop the habit of “washing hands with soap.” " habit. Non-enveloped RNA virus particles such as norovirus cannot be dissolved in alcohol and evaporate with it. Therefore, “washing hands with soap” must be the first priority and become a daily routine.
Dr. Jiang Guanyu said that norovirus is extremely stable in the environment; it can resist freezing, heating to 60°C, and chlorine or alcohol disinfection. Norovirus will still touch most children under the age of 5. And because it is particularly active in winter, it is called “Winter Vomiting Disease” and only requires less than 100 virus particles to spread. It is most difficult to prevent in household factories where there are many contacts, and it is easy to cause “one person to get the whole family.” “.
RNA virus is “unenveloped”. Pay attention to preventing infection during New Year dinners
Dr. Ou Shujuan, the attending physician at Taoyuan Rikang Clinic, once pointed out in an interview that norovirus is a non-enveloped RNA virus, including norovirus and enterovirus, and cannot be sterilized by alcohol or hand washing. If items that are commonly touched in the environment are not properly disinfected with diluted bleach, it can easily cause infection in homes, schools, military camps, and long-term care institutions. Therefore, the most important thing to prevent norovirus is “wash your hands with wet hands.”
Dr. Ou Shujuan reminded that the vomitus and excrement of infected people have high virus concentrations. If you touch the doorknob without washing your hands properly after going to the toilet, or if you do not use public chopsticks and mixed spoons when eating with your family during the Chinese New Year, you will not be in contact with the infected person. Wearing a mask and chatting may lead to droplet infection. Acute diarrhea caused by norovirus is often caused by runny nose or thickened nose.
Children are prone to infection “instantly” Taiwan Centers for Disease Control: Eat less soft-boiled eggs, meat and shellfish
Dr. Jiang Guanyu pointed out that the incubation period of norovirus can be as long as 24 to 48 hours, and symptoms can last as long as 72 hours or about three days. However, defecation within four weeks of the onset of the disease may still be infectious. More importantly, as long as the watery diarrhea exceeds Three times, you should pay attention to “infectious diarrhea”. Especially for children aged 4-11, all respiratory and digestive tract infectious diseases are “instantly available”, and the incidence rate will increase faster than that of adults.
Taiwan Centers for Disease Control reminds that to prevent norovirus and various bacterial pathogens, you should wash your hands properly after going to the toilet and before eating or preparing food. Pay attention to food hygiene when cooking dishes, handle raw and cooked foods separately, and avoid eating undercooked eggs, meat, shellfish and other aquatic products. Those with suspected symptoms (especially food workers) should rest at home until symptoms subside for at least 48 hours before returning to school or work.
If the four major symptoms of severe gastroenteritis in children appear “abnormal shaking”, seek medical attention immediately.
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Department of Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital pointed out that when a child at home is resting due to gastroenteritis, parents should pay attention to four key points.
Actively replenish water and electrolytes: In addition to sports drinks, you can go to pharmacies to buy electrolyte water suitable for gastroenteritis.
Eat a light diet and eat small amounts with frequent meals: Vomiting symptoms will be more frequent in the first three days, so you should mainly eat light and easy-to-digest foods.
Pay attention to severe dehydration: significantly reduced urine output, dry lips or oral mucosa, and no tears when crying.
Still showing signs of depression after the fever subsides: Does the child regain his energy after the fever subsides, or does he just want to lie down without resting?
Parents are reminded that if their child is found to be vomiting frequently and unable to eat at all. If there is a significant decrease in urine output, low activity, lethargy, abnormal crying that cannot be comforted, or even neurological conditions such as abnormal and involuntary limb shaking, the child should be taken to the doctor immediately for examination to determine whether there are serious complications of gastroenteritis.
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