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Norovirus is extremely contagious and spreads easily around even at hospital wards. Noroviruses are a group of related, single-stranded RNA recently described a "Norwalk-like viruses". They are said to be nonenveloped viruses that causes gastroenteritis in humans. They are spread quickly through contaminated food or water. Stool specimen of patients are seen to be negative for bacterial and parasitic pathogens. They are prone to vomiting with median illness of 12-60 hours at an incubation period of 24-48 hours. Illness is characterized by acute onset of nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Vomiting is more prevalent among children while diarrhea is among the adults. Severe dehydration caused by NLV gastroenteritis is fatal. Transmission mode is airborne. Outbreaks often results from exposure to a fecally contaminated food or water or person-to-person. Further evaluation is being done to confirm belief that person remained contagious 48-72 hours after recovery from NLV.

Thousands of Britons were affected by NLV which dozens of hospital wards across the country were closed to stop the spread. People struck with the virus are advised to stay home. You must drink plenty of liquids to prevent dehydration and wash hands regularly so as not to infect others. It can easily be transmited via contact with contaminated surfaces and seen to also cause fever and muscle pain. People mostly recover in two days but they can be more serious amonth the young or the elderly. So if you suspect you have it please call your doctor and avoid contaminating others by staying at home to recuperate.


Reference: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080104/ap_on_he_me/britain_vomiting_virus;_ylt=AkcrEFfHrDO00t6XAd4Yfh0R.3QA