‘It’s gross. It’s uncomfortable’: What you need to know about norovirus and gastro illness

We're paging Dr. Paul to learn more about gastroenteritis and norovirus, two disruptive viruses that have even had an impact on the Winter Olympics.

Norovirus has been making headlines lately, thanks in part to an unwelcome appearance at this year’s Olympics. But what exactly is it?

The Medical Officer of Health and CEO of the Eastern Ontario Health Unit says the virus is one cause of gastroenteritis, or a stomach infection.

“It causes diarrhea and vomiting,” Dr. Paul Roumeliotis, A.K.A. Dr. Paul told CTV Your Morning Ottawa on Wednesday. “It’s gross. It’s uncomfortable. Good news is that its viral in most situations, and it goes away on its on.”

While norovirus and other gastro illnesses normally clear up in a few days, they can spread quickly and there are additional symptoms people should be mindful of, particularly parents with young children.

What are the symptoms?

Dr. Paul says the primary symptoms of gastroenteritis are diarrhea and vomiting, however people should also be on the lookout for symptoms related to dehydration, particularly in children.

“What we want to know, is the child hydrated? Because what’s happening is you’re losing liquid, by vomiting, diarrhea,” he said.

In young children, symptoms of dehydration include listlessness, dry lips and mouth, and a lack of crying and/or tears. Young babies may urinate less frequently.

“Usually you have four to six wet diapers a day, but its less so if a child is dehydrated,” he said.

How does it spread?

Dr. Paul says norovirus spreads particularly quickly in tight spaces and areas where people congregate. That could include a locker room, a cruise ship, long-term care or retirement homes, daycares and more.

Unlike flu, which is a respiratory illness and spreads through the air, the germs that cause norovirus must be ingested.

“This type of infection, you have to swallow it,” Dr. Paul said. “It sounds gross, but it’s invisible. So, you touch a contaminated surface, somebody didn’t wash their hands after going to the bathroom, you touch it and you can swallow the germ and get those infections.”

As Dr. Paul explains, the infection is spread through fecal matter and vomit, which is why he stresses the importance of hand washing.

Dr. Paul also recommends frequently cleaning surfaces, particularly when a member of the household is experiencing an outbreak.

“Make sure that you disinfect all the surfaces, all the sinks, the toilets, and all that,” he said.

“Wash your hands very often, and especially with young children in daycares. When you change the diapers, make sure you wash your hands between. That’s the best way to prevent it.”

How can it be treated?

From a treatment standpoint, Dr. Paul says there is little that can be done and the illness typically resolves on its own.

“There is really no treatment, there is no antibiotics. It’s a viral illness,” he said.

The trick however, Dr. Paul says, is in the “catch-up game.” Or, in other words, ensuring more liquids are going in than coming out.

“Try giving liquid,” Dr. Paul said. “Obviously, if they vomit, make sure that you wait a bit and give it again.”

Instead of water, Dr. Paul recommends giving children drinks like Pedialyte, Gastrolyte and other drinks with electrolytes and salts.

Children can get dehydrated very quickly, Dr. Paul says. If they are showing signs of dehydration, they should be taken to the hospital for intravenous rehydration.

A typical case of norovirus lasts two to three days. If the infection persists longer than that, or if additional symptoms develop, including blood in the stool, Dr. Paul recommends seeking medical help.

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