Prevention Tips: Norovirus Outbreak on Campus

[Voice of Hope April 24, 2023](Editor: Li Wenhan) Norovirus has recently been raging on campus. In response to this, Lin Xuanren, director of the peritoneal dialysis department of the Affiliated Hospital of Asia University in Taiwan, and Ou Shujuan, attending pediatrician of Taoyuan Rikang Clinic, posted a Facebook fan page “Introducing people into the kidney Dr. Lin Xuanren” Sharing, norovirus is a highly contagious gastrointestinal virus, as long as 100 are enough to get sick, and alcohol can’t kill it, currently there is no specific drug for treatment, so prevention is the key.

“Liberty Times” quoted Lin Xuanren and Ou Shujuan as saying that norovirus can be transmitted through contact with infected people or objects, and can also be infected through the oral-oral, hand-oral, and feces-oral routes. Therefore, maintaining personal hygiene and a clean environment are key to avoiding infection. For example, saliva, parents eating children’s leftovers, and contact with patients’ feces and vomit may all be contagious. Typical symptoms of infection include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, increased temperature, muscle pain, and fatigue. Although alcohol cannot kill, it can be disinfected with bleach. The normal environment cleaning is 500ppm, and the vomit cleaning is 1000ppm.

Lin Xuanren and Ou Shujuan said that there is currently no specific medicine for Noro, and it can only be relieved by antiemetic, hydration, fever reduction, and electrolyzed water supplementation. Therefore, prevention is very important, including regular hand washing, especially after contact with feces, After using the toilet, after coughing or sneezing, before handling food, etc. In addition, avoid sharing food and water in households with people with norovirus infection. Close contact with others should also be avoided during the onset, and food and water intake should be reduced in the early stages of infection to reduce gastrointestinal burden. If symptoms are severe, such as severe dehydration and blood in the urine, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Lin Xuanren and Ou Shujuan reminded that in children, norovirus infection may also lead to mild dehydration and weight loss. Symptoms usually start within 24 to 48 hours of infection and may last 2 to 3 days. Regarding the timing of sending children to the doctor, the four major indicators include decreased activity, lack of interest in usual activities, poor energy or complexion, fever above 39 degrees for 3 consecutive days, decreased appetite, and food intake halved.

Editor in charge: Li Zhi

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