Knowra Norovirus Norovirus Norovirus is a genus of nonenveloped, positive-sense RNA viruses that causes acute gastroenteritis in humans. Its low infectious dose and environmental persistence contribute to frequent outbreaks.
Norovirus genome : The single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome carried by noroviruses. Its organization encodes viral proteins and directs replication inside infected cells.
Norovirus outbreak : A cluster of norovirus infections linked by place, time, or exposure. Outbreaks commonly follow contamination of food, water, or shared environments.
Rotavirus : A genus of segmented double-stranded RNA viruses that causes severe gastroenteritis, especially in young children. Rotavirus is another major viral cause of gastroenteritis, but differs in genome structure and vaccine availability.
Acute gastroenteritis : Sudden inflammation of the stomach and intestines, typically causing diarrhea and vomiting. Norovirus is a major infectious cause of this short-lived but sometimes severe illness.
Caliciviridae : A family of nonenveloped viruses with positive-sense, single-stranded RNA genomes. Norovirus is one genus within this family of animal and human pathogens.
Norovirus replication : The process by which noroviruses copy their RNA and produce viral proteins in host cells. Replication turns an infected intestinal cell into a source of new virus particles.
Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction : A laboratory method that converts RNA into DNA and amplifies selected sequences for detection. RT-PCR detects norovirus RNA in stool and outbreak samples.
Sapovirus : A genus of positive-sense RNA viruses that causes acute gastroenteritis in humans. Sapovirus belongs to the same viral family but is a distinct, generally less prominent cause of outbreaks.
Dehydration : A harmful loss of body water and electrolytes that impairs normal physiological function. Vomiting and diarrhea can cause dangerous fluid loss, especially in young children and older adults.
Norwalk virus : The virus first identified as the cause of an outbreak of gastroenteritis in Norwalk, Ohio, in 1968. Its discovery established the viral agent later classified within the norovirus genus.
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