Kolkata: Norovirus or stomach flu cases have been reported in at least three hospitals in the city.These hospitals have received patients with severe symptoms, like dehydration, vomiting, severe gastroenteritis, abdominal cramps and varying degrees of weakness. Norovirus causes acute inflammation of the stomach and intestines.Once infected, symptoms usually develop rapidly within 12 to 48 hours, said physicians, adding anti-secretory medications are often required to reduce stool output.While at one hospital, four patients were admitted, including two in the ICU with severe dehydration and vomiting, 12 have tested positive for the virus at the other. At another hospital, three were admitted and around 47 patients were treated at the OPD over the last fortnight with symptoms that suggest norovirus. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes severe gastroenteritis, commonly referred to as “stomach flu” or “food poisoning.” It usually spreads from food and outbreaks usually occur in winter.Manipal Hospital Dhakuria has admitted four patients in the last two weeks. “While the first two patients had more severe symptoms and were treated in the ICU, the other two had relatively milder symptoms but still had to be admitted. The first two patients had their kidneys affected. All had loose motion and dehydration,” said Sayan Chakrabarty, infectious diseases physician at Manipal Hospital Dhakuria. Both patients had severe symptoms and had to be kept on IV fluids. They have now recovered. In the last one week, BP Poddar Hospital has admitted three and received 47 patients at its OPD with a similar clinical presentation. Peerless Hospital has received 12 norovirus patients, including two children.“We have received several with similar symptoms but all were not tested. Norovirus affects children more often, though we have got adult patients, too, in the past,” said Peerless Hospital chief microbiologist, Bhaskar Narayan Chaudhury. Charnock Hospital has received several such patients over the last one week. “Two-three were admitted with diarrhoea, and symptoms of influenza including high fever, loose motion, dehydration and severe stomach cramps,” said Charnock emergency head, Nishant Agarwal.At BP Poddar Hospital, three patients, including two elderly persons, were admitted as fluid loss was significant and needed intravenous correction. Renal issues can occur in patients with pre-existing renal impairment, said said Abhijit Aich Bhaumik, consultant physician at BP Poddar.
