Once a virus enters your stomach, it will show you what it can do. This virus is like a small gangster who is good at guerrilla warfare. Once it invades the human body, it will make your stomach turn over, and it simply won't stop.

That is the norovirus, this cunning little guy, like the gastrointestinal world of the evil sorcerer, always secretly lurking in the crowd, looking for opportunities to show its ‘magic’. It is particularly fond of busy, crowded places, such as vibrant schools, luxurious cruise ships, cosy nursing homes and bustling, aromatic restaurants.

Norovirus, it's so fast, it's almost staggering. Imagine the tentacles of an octopus, once extended, it catches its prey in an instant. And norovirus, like the tentacles of that octopus, once it gets the chance, it quickly catches you by surprise. Imagine you are enjoying a meal in a buffet restaurant. It's filled with all kinds of delicacies and the aroma is mouth-watering. However, just as you are revelling in the food, an unexpected guest creeps in. He may have traces of norovirus on his hands, and he knows nothing about it. He may have simply sneezed or reached out for food without washing his hands properly. And that virus-contaminated food just made its way to your plate without a word. You eat these delicacies with joy, not realising that you are swallowing a small disaster. Once norovirus enters your gut, it's like opening Pandora's box and disaster ensues. Your stomach begins to cramp and ache; your intestines begin to wriggle like crazy and you have diarrhoea. You feel dizzy and weak as if the whole world is spinning.

Symptoms of norovirus come and go quickly. It usually strikes within 12 to 48 hours after you've been exposed to the virus and manifests itself as sudden nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. It can feel like a runaway rollercoaster ride, where one ride is not enough and you have to go back and forth several times. Moreover, it is very good at ‘loving others’, usually a family or a group of people will be ‘hit’ collectively.

Norovirus, the gastrointestinal world's ‘little troublemaker’, although it seems elusive, we are not at our wits' end. The way to prevent it is hidden in our daily habits, as long as we pay a little attention, we can make it nowhere to hide. Washing your hands regularly is like putting on a protective suit to repel bacteria and viruses. Especially before and after meals, this is the time when viruses are most likely to invade, so be sure to give your hands a thorough cleaning, so that viruses have nowhere to hide. Furthermore, food is a source of energy for our body, but it is also a place for viruses to hide. So, we need to make sure that our food is cooked thoroughly and stay away from raw, cold and unclean food, which is a breeding ground for viruses. When eating out, choose restaurants with good hygiene conditions. Don't forget about our home environment. Norovirus is like a naughty little elf, it may leave its footprints on the surface of objects. Therefore, we need to clean and disinfect our home environment frequently, like giving the whole home a good cleaning. It is especially important to focus on the bathroom and the kitchen, which are places that are touched with high frequency. Imagine wiping every corner clean with a disinfectant solution, it's like putting a shield on your home so that the virus has no place to hide.

If you are unfortunate enough to be hit by norovirus, don't panic and remember some important measures. Firstly, vomiting and diarrhoea can dehydrate you quickly, so replacing your fluids is key and it's important to drink water and electrolyte drinks. Secondly, allow your body to rest and stay at home as much as possible, as this will not only help you recover but also avoid spreading the virus. Prompt medical attention is also necessary if symptoms are severe or last too long. By doing so, you can better cope with the discomfort caused by norovirus. Although Norovirus is aggressive, it is not invincible. As long as we maintain good hygiene habits and take precautions, we can keep this little gastrointestinal bully under control.

（Writer：Galli）