A common cause of gastroenteritis around the world is norovirus.
Family: Caliciviridae
Organism: single positive-strand RNA
General features:
(1) "winter vomiting disease"
(2) causes outbreaks in crowded, semi-closed populations such as schools or cruise ships
(3) persistence on surfaces (environmentally stable)
(4) low infective dose
(5) long period of viral shedding
Onset after exposure: 24-48 hours (1-2 days)
Duration: 12 to 60 hours, longer in immunocompromised
Clinical features:
(1) nausea and vomiting
(2) abdominal cramps and/or pain
(3) diarrhea
(4) other symptoms may occur (fever, headache, other)
Groups at risk for more severe disease and complications:
(1) young or elderly (< 5 years or > 74)
(2) immunocompromised
(3) medical comorbidities
Exclusion of other causes for the gastroenteritis and molecular methods can aid in the diagnosis.
