Introduction
The diarrhea caused by the norovirus usually does not require specific treatment. The focus of the measures is on alleviating the symptoms of the disease. In addition to fighting the diarrhea caused by vomiting, this also includes compensating for the loss of fluid and electrolytes resulting from the diarrhea. Only in more severe cases or with children and older patients is it strongly recommended to see a doctor, otherwise the norovirus infection can in principle be treated at home and with some home remedies and medication.
Treatment options
So far, there is no special antiviral drug (drug to inhibit virus replication) that specifically acts against the norovirus. Antiobiotics are generally not effective against viruses. For this reason, the treatment options for a norovirus infection are limited to alleviating the symptoms.
The basic measures include an increased fluid intake (to compensate for the fluid and electrolyte balance affected by vomiting and diarrhoea), sufficient food and physical rest. Special electrolyte solutions can also be used for children and elderly people who are often particularly affected by electrolyte and fluid loss. If vomiting and/or diarrhoea become unbearably severe, remedies to control these symptoms can be taken after consulting a doctor.
As the name suggests, norovirus infection is a viral disease. However, antibiotics only work against bacteria. The different classes of antibiotics attack the bacteria at different points (some prevent the bacteria from building a cell wall, others inhibit protein synthesis).
This is one of the reasons why an antibiotic is only effective against individual strains of bacteria and never against all of them. However, they are definitely not effective against viruses. Viruses neither have a cell wall nor do they synthesize proteins.
Most scientists even go so far as not even to classify them as living beings. In the absence of their own metabolism, viruses “attack” human cells and then use the metabolic mechanisms present there. Since antibiotics are directed against bacteria and not against human cells, they are completely powerless against viruses.
Instead, there are active substances specifically effective against viruses, which are called antivirals. They mostly inhibit either the penetration of the virus into the human cell, the duplication of the virus DNA in the cell or the release of the newly produced viruses from the cell. By the way: antibiotics are not only ineffective in a norovirus infection, they can even be harmful.
First of all, taking antibiotics, like taking any other drug, carries the risk of side effects, which can vary greatly depending on the antibiotic. Secondly, the human intestine is home to a large number of beneficial bacteria, which can be affected by the inappropriate use of antibiotics. This can result in digestive problems or even inflammatory bowel diseases if other, more resistant germs take advantage of the weakening of the “benign” intestinal germs.
The consumption of cola and pretzel sticks is considered a classic household remedy for gastrointestinal diseases with diarrhoea and vomiting, such as norovirus infection. However, this is only recommended with restrictions: Cola is better not to drink when suffering from diarrhoea, as the sugar it contains actually increases water excretion in the intestine. In addition, caffeine increases potassium excretion, which further increases the lack of this electrolyte and cannot be compensated by the salt sticks (which mainly contain sodium).
Those affected are therefore best supplied with water, tea or broth in combination with salt sticks (for the sodium) and bananas (for the potassium). When it comes to tea, the choice is usually chamomile tea, which calms the stomach and intestines. A special diet for children or infants is not necessary in most cases.
Care should be taken to ensure an adequate intake of fluids and food, otherwise the same rules apply as for adults. A hot water bottle placed on the stomach can be useful to relieve abdominal cramps. To combat diarrhea, air-dried, pitted apples are suitable: they contain pectin, which absorbs excess fluid in the intestine.Bananas have a similar effect, which, given their high potassium content, makes them a kind of all-purpose weapon in a norovirus infection.
These articles may also be of interest to you: Home remedies for the treatment of diarrheaMany homeopaths recommend drinking healing clay dissolved in mineral water (about a teaspoon of healing clay for every quarter of a liter of water) to treat a Norovirus infection. The healing clay, similar to bananas or apples (see above), is said to absorb excess fluid in the intestines and thereby relieve diarrhea. In addition, there are numerous homeopathic products that promise to relieve diarrhea and vomiting and accelerate healing of the norovirus infection.
These include Camphora, Colchicum, Borax and Chelidonium. In this context, it should be emphasized that homeopathy and naturopathy are two completely different principles, since in homeopathy the natural active ingredients are diluted to such an extent that ultimately not a single molecule of the active ingredient is present in the globules. So it is not really surprising that up to now not a single scientific study exists that could determine an advantage of homeopathic remedies over placebo.
If you suffer from a norovirus infection, you can of course use homeopathic remedies, but a medical consultation is indispensable, especially in more severe cases and with children or elderly people. Find more information on the topic: Homeopathy for diarrhoeaOne of the most important aspects of the disease associated with a norovirus infection is the loss of electrolytes. This is due to the fact that not only fluid but also the electrolytes contained in it are excreted with diarrhoea or vomiting.
Among the electrolytes in the human body, sodium and potassium play a particularly important role. A loss of these electrolytes that is too strong and not adequately compensated for can lead to serious consequences, including cardiac arrhythmia or disturbances of consciousness. For this reason, the supply of electrolytes is one of the cornerstones of the treatment of a norovirus infection.
In mild to moderately severe cases, the consumption of salt sticks (salt consists of sodium and chloride) and bananas (contains a lot of potassium) is sufficient. For more severe cases or for children or elderly people, special electrolyte solutions are available in pharmacies, which have the advantage that they not only improve the electrolyte balance but also the fluid balance. The body of Norovirus patients loses a large amount of fluid through vomiting and diarrhoea.
Especially with children and elderly people this can be dangerous if no adequate fluid balance is established. Water, tea (especially chamomile tea, which has a calming effect on the intestinal mucosa) or broth are particularly suitable. Cola, although it is one of the most widespread household remedies against diarrhea, is less suitable because the sugar it contains increases the excretion of water in the intestine. In more severe cases, as well as in children or seniors, the use of electrolyte solutions from the pharmacy is recommended: These not only ensure fluid balance, but also counteract the parallel electrolyte deficiency.
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