From the Guidelines
The medical name for the virus that commonly causes vomiting and nausea is Norovirus. This highly contagious virus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks worldwide, as reported in the updated norovirus outbreak management and disease prevention guidelines 1. Norovirus spreads easily through contaminated food or water, by touching contaminated surfaces, or through direct contact with an infected person.
Key Characteristics of Norovirus Infection
- Symptoms typically include sudden onset of vomiting, watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and nausea, usually lasting 1-3 days 1.
- The virus is particularly resilient, surviving on surfaces for days or weeks, which explains why it spreads rapidly in closed environments like cruise ships, schools, and healthcare facilities.
- Good hand hygiene with soap and water (not just alcohol-based sanitizers) is essential for prevention, as is proper food handling and thorough cleaning of contaminated surfaces with bleach-based disinfectants.
Management and Prevention
- There is no specific medication to treat norovirus infection; management focuses on preventing dehydration by drinking plenty of fluids 1.
- Oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte can help replace lost electrolytes.
- Approximately 10% of persons with norovirus gastroenteritis seek medical attention, which might include hospitalization and treatment for dehydration with oral or intravenous fluid therapy 1.
High-Risk Groups
- Norovirus-associated deaths have been reported among elderly persons and in the context of outbreaks in long-term–care facilities 1.
- Necrotizing enterocolitis in neonates, chronic diarrhea in immunosuppressed patients, and postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome also have been reported in association with norovirus infection 1.
From the Research
Viruses that Cause Vomiting and Nausea
- Rotavirus and norovirus are two common viruses that cause acute gastroenteritis, leading to symptoms such as severe diarrhea and vomiting 2, 3.
- These symptoms can lead to severe dehydration and death, especially in children 2.
- Other viruses that can cause gastroenteritis include astrovirus, adenovirus, and sapovirus 4, 5.
Prevalence of Viruses that Cause Gastroenteritis
- Rotavirus is the most frequently observed agent, followed by norovirus, adenovirus, and astrovirus 4.
- Norovirus genogroup II is the most frequently detected virus, followed by adenovirus, rotavirus, astrovirus, norovirus genogroup I, and sapovirus 5.
- Coinfections of multiple viruses can occur, with the most frequent coinfections being between norovirus and rotavirus, and norovirus and adenovirus 4.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Viral Gastroenteritis
- Diagnosis of viral gastroenteritis can be done using multiplex real-time PCR assays that can detect multiple viruses simultaneously 5.
- Treatment of viral gastroenteritis typically involves oral rehydration and supportive care, although ondansetron may be beneficial in reducing symptoms of rotavirus gastroenteritis 2.
- Vaccines are available for rotavirus and are highly effective in preventing severe rotavirus disease, although their effectiveness can vary depending on the region and population 6.