Norovirus excretion patterns

About VIDRL
Contact us
- Contact
- Deliveries
Laboratories/Units
Surveillance
- Fortnight reports
  - 2012
  - 2011
  - 2010
  - 2009
  - 2008
  - 2007
  - 2006
  - 2005
  - 2004
  - 2003
  - 2002
  - 2001
  - 2000
  - 1999
  - 1998
- Mycobacteria
  - 2006
  - 2005
  - 2004
  - 2003
  - 2002
  - 2001
  - 2000
  - 1999
- Influenza
- AFP surveillance
Test Handbook
- Handbook
- Diagnostic Test list
  - Virus PCR tests
  - Serology tests
Publications
- Biosafety Cabinet video
- 2011
- 2010
- 2009
- 2008
- 2007
- 2006
- 2005
- 2004
- 2003
- 2002
- 2001
- 2000
- Hepatitis updates
Home

Norovirus excretion patterns

A study to investigate outbreaks of gastroenteritis caused by noroviruses was conducted in 2003 in conjunction with staff from the Electron Microscopy/Gastroenteritis Laboratory.

The purpose of this study was to gather information from patients who were part of gastroenteritis outbreaks caused by noroviruses and to examine the relationship between gastrointestinal symptoms and excretion of the virus in faeces.

This study has shown that:

norovirus may be excreted in the prodromal stage of infection
norovirus RNA is found with equal frequency in formed stools as it is in loose or liquid stools
non-specific symptoms associated with norovirus infection in the elderly may last for up to three weeks
there is no consistent relationship between the existence of symptoms and the detection of viral RNA