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PHAR20400 > NOVOVIRUS AND ROTAVIRUS > Flashcards

NOVOVIRUS AND ROTAVIRUS Flashcards

1
Q

Which family do norovirus belong to?

A

Caliciviridae family

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2
Q

What does norovirus cause?

A

Gastroenteritis/ winter vomiting virus (most common cause)

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3
Q

Describe the characteristics of a Norovirus virion (RNA, enveloped, infectious dose, stability)

A
  • Single stranded RNA (ssRNA)
  • No envelope
  • Low infectious dose - less than 10 virions
  • Variable - antigenic variants
  • Extremely stable to temperatures, disinfection and high sugar concentrations
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4
Q

What are the symptoms of norovirus?

A
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Watery diarrhoea
  • Abdominal cramps
  • Headaches
  • Slight fever
  • Myalgia or malaise
  • Gastroenteritis (24-48hr later)
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5
Q

How long does an episode of norovirus last?

A

24-72 hr

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6
Q

How is norovirus transmitted?

A
  • Direct contact
  • Fecal-oral route
  • Exposure to aerosols
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7
Q

Is there a vaccine for norovirus?

A

No.

Antigenic shift and variability of virus

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8
Q

Are alcohol hand gels effective against noroviruses?

A

Noroviruses have no lipid envelope, so alcohol won’t affect it. But soap and water = good

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9
Q

How stable is the norovirus?

A 
It is extremely stable:
Resists freezing 
Resists heat up to 60 degrees C
Resists disinfection 
Resists high sugar concentrations
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10
Q

How long after norovirus infection can a person shed the virus?

A

Up to 3 weeks after the infection

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11
Q

What is viral shedding?

A
  • Expulsion of a virus from a cell
  • Movement to another area of the body
  • Shedding into the environment
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12
Q

What causes diarrhoea as a symptom of norovirus?

A

Small intestine microvilli damaged

- Leads to nutrient malabsorption and enzymatic dysfunction at brush border

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13
Q

What causes vomiting in norovirus?

A
  • Changes in gastric motility

- Delayed gastric emptying

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14
Q

What is the main worry surrounding symptoms of norovirus?

A

Dehydration due to diarrhoea and vomiting - consider dioralyte treatment

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15
Q

What does lactose intolerance have to do with norovirus?

A

Norovirus infects the brush border of the small intestine = temporary damage, which can cause the body to stop absorbing lactose

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16
Q

What is the size of norovirus?

A

27nm

17
Q

What shape of the nucleocapsid of norovirus?

A

20 sides - icosahedral

18
Q

Who should you refer after having norovirus for 1, 2 and 3 days?

A

1 day: Children under 1
2 days: Children under 3 and the elderly
3 days: Older children and adults

19
Q

What are the treatments for norovirus?

A

No specific medication - but Loperamide can be used to increase intestinal transit time (food moves slower)

20
Q

What groups should be referred immediately? (norovirus)

A

Patients with any danger symptoms (blood/mucus in stools or symptoms of severe dehydration)
Pregnant individuals
Patients with diarrhoea, severe vomiting and fever

21
Q

What is the difference between norovirus and rotavirus?

A 
Rotavirus = commonest cause of gastroenteritis in children (mainly 1 month - 4 years)
Norovirus = commonest cause of gastroenteritis in adults
22
Q

What are the symptoms of rotavirus and how long do symptoms last?

A 
Severe watery diarrhoea
Vomiting
Mild fever
Stomach cramps
Symptoms last 3-8 days
23
Q

Describe the characteristics of a Rotavirus virion (RNA, capsule, infectibility)

A

Double-stranded RNA
Protein capsule
Low infectious dose (10-100 virus)

24
Q

How many strains are there of Rotavirus A and how are they classsified?

A

2 strains based on two proteins on the surface of the virus
G strain - has VP7 protein (10)
P strain - has VP4 protein (11)

25
Q

How is rotavirus transmitted?

A

faecal-oral or respiratory transmission

26
Q

What are the two rotavirus vaccines authorised for use?

A

Rotarix

RotaTeq

27
Q

What type of vaccine is the Rotavirus vaccine?

A

Live attenuated vaccine

PHAR20400 (20 decks)

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