norovirus

norovirus One of a group of viruses that cause the “stomach flu,” or gastroenteritis. The term norovirus was approved as the official name for this group of viruses. Several other names have been used for noroviruses, including Norwalk-like viruses, caliciviruses (because they belong to the virus family Caliciviridae), and small round structured viruses. The virus is spread primarily from one infected person to another by the fecal-oral route. The characteristic symptoms are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping that develop 1 or 2 days after contaminated food or water is consumed. Symptoms typically last for 24 to 60 hours. Illness severe enough to require hospitalization is unusual. Fever, if present, is low-grade.