Norovirus (cont.)
Medical Author:
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhDDr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications. Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical EditorMelissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology. IN THIS ARTICLE
Exams and TestsMost state laboratories in the U.S. have a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction test (RT-PCR) that is very sensitive and specific for detecting the genetic material of norovirus. Stool, vomit, and environmental swabs can be used as samples for this test. Unfortunately, samples need to be sent to the labs, which can be time-consuming. Other diagnostic tests have been used for norovirus infection (for example, electron microscopy, serum antibody increases, and ELISA), but these tests are done infrequently and often are less sensitive and specific than RT-PCR. Testing outbreaks for norovirus is important because such testing can rule out diseases with similar symptoms (for example, diseases caused by rotavirus, Vibrio, Escherichia, and other organisms). Next Page: Must Read Articles Related to Norovirus
Diarrhea
Diarrhea can be caused by bacterial or viral infections, parasites, intestinal diseases or conditions, reactions to medications, and food intolerance. Symptoms ...learn more >>
Gastroenteritis
Gastroenteritis (stomach flu) is most commonly caused by viruses and bacteria like rotavirus, adenovirus, parvovirus, and astrovirus. Bacteria causing gastroent...learn more >>
Vomiting and Nausea
Vomiting and nausea are common complaints that accompany many conditions and diseases. A few common causes of vomiting and nausea include food poisoning, viruse...learn more >>
|
Women's Health
Find out what women really need.
From WebMD
Infectious Disease Resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
Featured Topics
Medical Dictionary
Pill Identifier on RxList
- quick, easy,
pill identification
Find a Local Pharmacy
- including 24 hour, pharmacies
