Norwalk virus symptoms vs food poisoning

Noroviruses are spread by exposure to infected people or contaminated food and water. The virus is passed in stool and vomit. Outbreaks have been linked to sick food handlers, contaminated shellfish or water contaminated with sewage. It is generally spread from person to person by direct contact, but some medical reports suggest that the virus can spread through the air during vomiting.

Although the virus is easy to spread, serious illness rarely occurs. The most common symptoms include nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps. Diarrhea may occasionally accompany vomiting. Fever is usually low grade or absent. Infected people generally recover in one to two days. No specific treatment is available. Password recovery. Food Poisoning News. Home Featured Norovirus or Food Poisoning? Is there Really a Difference? Coli Poisoning. Please enter your comment!

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Articles of Interest. Article Index. January 11, So now that you know the difference between norovirus and food poisoning, how do you treat the equally unwelcome illnesses?

According to the CDC , there is no medicine to take for norovirus because viral infections cannot be treated with antibiotics. But the CDC does recommend drinking plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration, a condition that can also lead to hospitalization.

Because there are more than pathogens that can cause food poisoning, the appropriate treatment depends of which germ is responsible for your illness, which is hard to determine without the help of a medical professional.

Staying hydrated is important in cases of food poisoning too because the vomiting and diarrhea that is common during food poisoning episodes causes you to lose a lot of bodily fluids.