Planning a Holiday Cruise--What is Norovirus or Norwalk-like Virus?

Introduction

Unfortunately, when cruise ships make the headlines it’s often in conjunction with the outbreak of stomach-related illnesses. Previously, in the news you've probably come across the terms norovirus and Norwalk-like virus. This group of viruses is now recognized under the single category name of noroviruses.

These viruses cause gastrointestinal problems usually diagnosed as viral gastroenteritis. However, the same illness could be referred to as food poisoning or stomach flu. It should be noted that noroviruses cannot be blamed for all types of food poisoning, and the so-called stomach flu they causes is not the “typical” stomach-flu which is caused by the influenza virus.

How Dangerous Is It?

Norovirus, despite its nasty reputation, isn’t considered especially dangerous to normally healthy people. The worse of the illness lasts only for one or two days. During that time period the most distressing symptoms are usually vomiting and diarrhea. The biggest danger exists when a person has trouble keeping fluids in his or her stomach and begins to suffer from dehydration. This is of special concern with children and the elderly.

How Do You Treat It?

Basically, the illness has to run its course. Antibiotics do not fight viruses, only bacterial infections. Your physician will probably concentrate on preventing you from dehydrating.

How Might I Catch It?

The virus is highly contagious and is spread by being in close proximity to infected passengers, touching surfaces that the infected person has touched or consuming food or beverages contaminated by the virus.

Care must be taken as soon as a person begins exhibiting symptoms. Once the symptoms appear the person is considered contagious, and he remains contagious for a minimum of 72 hours after the illness has abated. Much longer periods of remaining contagious are not unusual, though.

Regular hand washing can limit the spread of the virus, which is found in the patient’s feces and vomit.

I’ve Had Norovirus. Am I Immune?

Like influenza there are variations of norovirus. You would likely have immunity only if you encountered an identical virus to the one that caused your previous illness and the odds are against that happening. Don’t take unnecessary chances playing microbial Russian roulette with your health. The truth is, you can easily be infected again and again with slightly different editions of the virus.