From the Guidelines
Norovirus infection treatment primarily involves supportive care, as there is no specific antiviral medication available 1.
Supportive Care
- Patients with mild to moderate dehydration may be managed with oral rehydration solutions, such as Pedialyte or Gatorade, administered in small, frequent volumes 1.
- In severe cases, intravenous fluids, such as 0.9% sodium chloride or lactated Ringer's solution, may be necessary to treat dehydration 1.
Symptomatic Relief
- Anti-emetic medications, like ondansetron, may be prescribed to control nausea and vomiting, although the exact dosage may vary depending on the patient's condition and age 1.
Key Considerations
- No biologic association with influenza exists, and symptoms typically resolve without treatment after 1–3 days in otherwise healthy persons 1.
- However, more prolonged courses of illness can occur, particularly among young children, elderly persons, and hospitalized patients 1.
- Approximately 10% of persons with norovirus gastroenteritis seek medical attention, which might include hospitalization and treatment for dehydration 1.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Norovirus Infection
- Currently, there are no approved antiviral therapies for norovirus infection 2, 3.
- Treatment for norovirus infection is primarily focused on supportive care, such as hydration and symptom management.
- Some studies have investigated the use of antiviral compounds, including nitazoxanide, but its effectiveness has not been clearly demonstrated 4.
- Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy has been shown to be beneficial in achieving freedom from clinical symptoms in patients with chronic norovirus infection, although it has limited effects on shedding of the virus 5.
Challenges in Developing Antiviral Therapies
- The development of antiviral therapies for norovirus has been hindered by the lack of a cell culture system and the genetic diversity of the virus 3, 6.
- The risk of resistance development toward future antiviral drugs is a concern, particularly in immunocompromised patients who may require prolonged treatment 6.
- Further research is needed to develop effective antiviral therapies for norovirus infection, particularly for high-risk populations such as immunocompromised individuals 2, 3.