From the Guidelines
Norovirus infection treatment is primarily focused on managing symptoms, as the illness is typically self-limiting and resolves without treatment after 1-3 days in otherwise healthy individuals.
Treatment Approach
- The mainstay of treatment is to prevent dehydration by ensuring adequate fluid and electrolyte intake, which can be achieved through oral or intravenous fluid therapy 1.
- No specific antiviral treatment is available for norovirus infection, and the use of antimicrobial agents is not recommended, as it may lead to increased resistance and worsening of symptoms 1.
- In severe cases, particularly among young children, elderly persons, and hospitalized patients, more prolonged courses of illness can occur, and hospitalization may be necessary to manage dehydration and other complications 1.
- Supportive care, such as rest, hydration, and monitoring of symptoms, is essential in managing norovirus infection.
Special Considerations
- In immunocompromised patients, such as those with HIV/AIDS or undergoing immunosuppressive therapy, norovirus infection can lead to more severe and prolonged illness, and specific treatment may be necessary 1.
- In these cases, consultation with an infectious disease specialist is recommended to determine the best course of treatment.
Prevention
- Preventive measures, such as hand hygiene, proper food preparation and storage, and avoidance of high-risk foods, can help reduce the transmission of norovirus infection 1.
- Vaccination against rotavirus, which is a common cause of gastroenteritis in children, can also help reduce the burden of norovirus infection 1.
From the Research
Treatment Options for Norovirus Infection
- The primary treatment for norovirus infection is focused on early correction of dehydration and maintenance of fluid status and nutrition 2.
- For immunocompromised patients, treatment options such as nitazoxanide, ribavirin, and enterally administered immunoglobulin have been suggested, with varying results 3, 4.
- Nitazoxanide has been shown to be effective in treating chronic norovirus gastroenteritis in a pediatric kidney transplant recipient 3.
- Favipiravir is also suggested as a potential treatment option, but it has not been tested on humans 4.
Supportive Care
- Rehydration therapies and supportive care are currently the only available treatments for severe cases of norovirus infection, particularly in vulnerable patient populations such as infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals 5.
- Hand hygiene, exclusion of ill individuals, and environmental cleaning are important for norovirus outbreak prevention and control 2.
Future Directions
- Several norovirus vaccine candidates are currently in development, which could have a significant impact on global public health by preventing morbidity and mortality and protecting vulnerable populations 5.