How the doctor treats the Norovirus infection

While the baby is infected with the Norovirus, it is essential that the baby continues to be breastfed or bottle-fed with a substitute. This prevents fluid loss and provides important nutrients to the baby. In order to intensify the fluid therapy, older children can also be offered tea or still water sweetened with dextrose.

The administration of medication should always be discussed with a pediatrician first. In addition to the symptomatic therapy, the baby should be given adequate skin care. A further point that parents may neglect is sufficient protection against infection. It is important to take extensive hygienic measures and to protect oneself with mouthguards and gloves when caring for the baby.

Duration of the disease

The acute symptoms usually last only one to three days. Sometimes the symptoms can last only 12 to 48 hours. This short but severe course is typical for the infection with the Norovirus.

Even after the symptoms have subsided, the virus can still be excreted in the stool for a few weeks. There is therefore still a risk of infection for the surrounding area. After an expired infection with the Norovirus there is an immunity for this particular strain, but there are many different strains of the Norovirus, so that one is not protected against the Norovirus for life.

These are the ways of infection

The most common route of infection is via sick family members or via sick children or employees in daycare centers or nurseries. The norovirus is transmitted via the so-called fecal-oral route. Fecal-oral means that pathogens in body excrements, such as stool or vomit, are absorbed by a second person via the mouth, i.e. also via breathing.

For example through contact with the hands. Through the gushing vomiting of already ill persons, virus-containing droplets can form, which are absorbed by the circle of people in the environment through breathing. In addition, there is the danger of smear infection.

This occurs in direct contact with the vomit or stool of a sick person. Surfaces in the household or contaminated food are also sources of virus absorption. In babies, there is a particular risk that these contaminated surfaces are touched and then the hand or a finger is put in the mouth, thus allowing the virus to enter the baby’s body.

The risk of infection is therefore so high because even a few virus particles are sufficient to trigger an infection. It is important to note that the highest risk of infection comes from people who show vomiting and diarrhoea as symptoms. However, the virus can still be excreted with stool a few weeks after the symptoms have subsided, which would still be a way of possibly infecting the baby.