Mother beware of ‘Norovirus’ in children!

virus that infects the digestive system, including the stomach and intestines, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, loose stools, and vomiting. As new parents, did you know that a newborn’s stool is more important than you might think?   The symptoms of norovirus are often mistaken for food poisoning. Therefore, being aware of this harmful virus can help ensure that your little one receives proper care and timely treatment. What is ‘Norovirus’?

What is ‘Norovirus’?

• It is resistant to heat, disinfectants, and even alcohol, thus difficult to eliminate it.
• This virus spreads easily and rapidly. Even a small amount of norovirus contamination in food or drinking water can cause infection. It is commonly transmitted through contaminated food and water.
• Norovirus outbreaks can occur year-round, especially during winter, as it spreads more easily in cold weather.
  •  It can cause illnesses in both children and adults.
     
• Check for Norovirus Symptoms Norovirus has a short incubation period of 12–48 hours after entering the body. Its symptoms are often mistaken for food poisoning. Common symptoms of norovirus include:
  •  Diarrhea with loose or watery stools
  • Nausea and severe vomiting • Stomach pain
  • Fever and fatigue
  • Headache
  • Body aches, similar to flu symptoms, leading some to call it the "stomach flu"
  • Dehydration, especially in young children, which can be severe enough to cause shock

These symptoms usually resolve on their own within 48–72 hours. However, they are not exclusive to norovirus. If you suspect a norovirus infection—especially if multiple people around you have similar symptoms, particularly during winter—it is best to take your child to a doctor. A laboratory stool test can confirm the presence of norovirus.

• How is Norovirus Transmitted?
  • It is contracted by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated water, or by touching surfaces contaminated with the virus, such as plates, bowls, and spoons. Norovirus is commonly found in drinking water, ice, and contaminated fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • Direct contact with items that have been contaminated with norovirus and then putting them in the mouth.
  • Contact with the vomit or stool of an infected person.
     
• How to Prevent Norovirus Infection in Your Little One Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent norovirus, and no specific antiviral medication to kill this virus. As this illness spreads easily and rapidly, it often occurs in public places with large crowds where people share items, such as cafeterias, restrooms, etc. Parents can take the following preventive measures: 
  • Wash your child’s hands thoroughly before and after eating.
  • Ensure your child eats properly cooked, clean food, consumes hot meals, and uses a shared spoon.
  • Wash vegetable and fruit thoroughly before giving them to your child.
  • Avoid drinking and eating from unclean sources, as the virus can survive in the environment, particularly in water, for a long time.
     
• Caring for Your Little One
  • ​When your child is infected with norovirus, they should be kept at home to recover, avoiding school or daycare until they are fully recovered. This means waiting 48 hours after symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea have stopped to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
  • Parents or caregivers should regularly wash their hands with soap and water, especially before handling food and after changing diapers or cleaning the bathroom.
  • If a parent or caregiver contracts norovirus, they should stay away from others until diarrhea and vomiting have completely stopped for at least 48 hours. Additionally, they should avoid cooking, as the virus can spread to others for up to 3 days after symptoms appear.
  • Personal items such as spoons, forks, and household utensils should be separated from the rest of the family’s belongings.  
     
• Cleaning Procedures for Norovirus Since norovirus is resistant to heat, disinfectants, and even 70% alcohol, which cannot kill the virus, the following cleaning procedures can be done:
  • Clean with cleaning products containing chlorine in concentrations of 1,000-5,000 ppm, or sodium hypochlorite. Alternatively, mix bleach with water (e.g., half a cap of bleach in 500-600 ml of water). Wear disposable rubber gloves while cleaning contaminated items, surfaces, and floors in affected areas, including contaminated clothes or waste like vomit- or stool-soiled fabrics. Soak for 30 minutes.
  • Disposable diapers should be soaked in bleach, then placed in two separate plastic bags, tightly sealed, and disposed of in the trash as infectious waste.
  • Clean toilets with products containing chlorine in concentrations of 1,000-5,000 ppm. Pay special attention to cleaning areas such as the toilet handle, spray nozzle, bathroom floor, toilet seat, flush button, faucet, and door lock.
  • Dispose of vomit and stool carefully by wiping with a damp cloth to prevent spreading, then dispose of the waste in a plastic bag. Clean the contaminated area with a chlorine-based disinfectant.
  • Separate and wash clothing or diapers soiled with stool immediately, either by washing them properly or disposing of them in an appropriate location.

A heartfelt thank for information from Ms. Piyarat ‘Ann’ Lertbannaphong, a specialized pediatrician.