Archive for category Viruses
Norovirus: vomiting and diarrhoea
Posted by admin in ABDOMINAL PAIN, Diarrhoea, ICONS - Books and apple, Infections, Viruses, Vomiting on February 24th, 2012
Norovirus, sometimes called Norwalk virus or small round structured virus causes winter vomiting disease. Although commoner in the winter months, it can occur at any time of the year. It is the commonest cause of vomiting and diarrhoea in the UK and is highly infectious. Indeed if it appears in the hospital setting it frequently leads to ward closure since this is often the only way to contain the infection.
Hand-washing alone often is not enough to contain the virus. It is not, however, a hospital acquired infection as such and is brought in by a member of staff, visitor or patient who has acquired it in the community. It is important, therefore not to visit patients if you have recently suffered from a brief episode of diarrhoea because of the havoc this virus can cause to the everyday running of a hospital. Usually you are no longer infectious after being symptom free for 48 hours.
Norovirus is transmitted very easily in the following ways:
Not washing hands after using the toilet
Being exposed to the virus when cleaning up vomit or diarrhoea of infected person
By breathing in virus from the air e.g. after projectile vomiting
Touching surfaces that have virus on them eg toilet seats, furniture, door handles, keyboards etc.
By eating contaminated food eg oysters contaminated from sewage in sea water
Here are some commonly asked questions regarding Norovirus infection:
NOROVIRUS : FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
COUNTRY : ENGLAND
What are the symptoms?
The most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Symptoms often start with the sudden onset of nausea followed by projectile vomiting and watery diarrhoea. However, not all of those infected will experience all of the symptoms. Some people may also have a raised temperature, headaches and aching limbs.
Symptoms usually begin around 12 to 48 hours after becoming infected. The illness is self-limiting and the symptoms will last for 12 to 60 hours. Most people make a full recovery within 1-2 days, however some people (usually the very young or elderly) may become very dehydrated and require hospital treatment.
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Viral Infections: Hand, foot and mouth disease
Posted by admin in Hand Foot and Mouth Disease, ICONS - Stethescope and apple, Infections, Rashes, Viruses on October 3rd, 2011
The viral disease known as hand foot and mouth disease in the human is completely unrelated to the disease of the same name in animals. It is generally a mild condition and can affect any age but is predominantly seen in children aged under 10 years. Most adults will have already been exposed to the virus in childhood.
It is caused by an enterovirus, usually coxacki A16.
The link below is to Clinical Knowledge Summaries formerly linked to National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), but note important information about this service.
HAND FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE – CLINICAL KNOWLEDGE SUMMARIES
COUNTRY : UK
Non-polio enteroviruses (including coxsackie A and B, echoviruses, and other enteroviruses) are among the most common viral infections in humans, second only to common cold viruses [Essex Health Protection Unit, 2009].
This group of viruses is most active in the late summer or early autumn in temperate climates [Frydenberg and Starr, 2003].
Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) occurs worldwide. It appears sporadically as well as in regular epidemics. However, many cases are asymptomatic and go undetected [CDC, 2008].
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RASHES : Hand, foot and mouth disease
Posted by admin in Hand Foot and Mouth Disease, ICONS - Books and apple, Infections, Rashes, Viruses on October 3rd, 2011
Many years ago general practitioners, nurses, and often mothers and grandmothers were well acquainted with the rashes of the then common infectious diseases such as measles, rubella (German measles), scarlet fever and chicken pox. For example, doctors would have been well trained in distinguishing the rash of chicken pox from the dreaded smallpox rash. The doctors of today have only seen the rash of smallpox in a textbook because this infection is now virtually extinct although most doctors will still be taught about it.
Chicken pox is still common but the other infectious diseases much less so, but other rashes are seen that are much less typical than those of the common infectious diseases of yester-year.
The pre-school child in particular has a real knack of producing weird skin rashes associated with viral infections.
Hand, foot and mouth disease is one of these viral infections. The disease in the human is highly infectious but generally takes a mild course. It is completely unrelated to the condition of the same name that affects animals.
COUNTRY : UK
Hand, foot and mouth disease is usually a short mild illness that mainly affects children. Most children fully recover within a week. Serious complications occur rarely. This disease is NOT related to the disease with a similar name which affects animals.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF HAND FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE DURING PREGNANCY?
COUNTRY: UK
Hand, foot and mouth disease is rare in healthy adults, so the risk of infection during pregnancy is very low.
If a pregnant woman gets hand, foot and mouth disease, the risk of complications is also very low.
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