Norwalk Virus

This is easily spread virus, an extremely common cause of food-borne illness. Outbreaks of the Norwalk virus usually occur where a large number of people are confined to a relatively small space. Outbreaks can occur anywhere contaminated drinking water or swimming water exist, and are known to affect camps, cruise ships, schools and nursing homes.

Symptoms are:

Acute diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting, headaches and low-grade fevers. Symptoms usually last up to two days, but can persist for several weeks.

Mode of Spread and Some prevention tips:

Person-to-person contact. Contaminated shellfish, prepared foods, water and ice. In many cases, infected food handlers can contaminate food. According to some sources, the only source of the Norwalk virus is feces from infected people. In many cases, shellfish are infected when human waste is dumped from ships.

Hand washing is the best method for preventing the spread. Avoid certain foods such as, uncooked, prepared party foods, and shellfish on cruise ships. Avoid hand-shaking unnecessarily.

Medical Doctors for the most part recommend the sports drink solution; there is no effective treatment, other than fluid and electrolyte replacement.

Homeopathic remedies which are useful for this condition:

ALOES:

Diarrhea: has to hurry to closet immediately after eating and drinking; with want of confidence in sphincter anus; driving out of bed early in the morning.
When passing gas, sensation as if stool would pass with it.

Colic: cutting, griping pain in right lower portion of abdomen; excruciating, before and during stool; all pains cease after stool, leaving profuse sweating and extreme weakness; attacks preceded by obstinate constipation.
Gas offensive, burning, copious; much gas with small stool; burning in anus after passage of gas.
Solid stool and masses of mucus pass involuntary; hungry during diarrhea.

Before stool: rumbling, violent sudden urging, heaviness in rectum; during stool, weakness and much gas; after stool, faintness.

Made worse by - Early morning; after eating or drinking; standing or walking.

Made better by - Cold water; cold weather; discharge of gas and stool.

ANTIMONIUM CRUDUM:

Old people with morning diarrhea suddenly become constipated, or alternate diarrhea and constipation; pulse hard and rapid.
Sensitive to the cold; worse getting cold.

Child is fretful, peevish, cannot bear to be touched or looked at; sulky, does not wish to speak or be spoken to; angry at every little attention.
Intestinal complaints from overeating; stomach feels weak, digestion easily disturbed; a thick milky-white coating on the tongue. Very prone to canker sores in the mouth.
Longing for acids and pickles.

Made worse by - After eating; cold bath; acids or sour wine; after heat of sun or fire; extremes of cold or heat.

Made better by - Being in the open air; during rest; after a warm bath.

ARSENICUM ALBUM: (Metal album)

Extreme weakness
Depressed, melancholic, despairing, and indifferent.
Anxious, fearful, restless, full of anguish.
Irritable, sensitive, peevish, easily agitated.
The greater the suffering the greater the anguish, restlessness and fear of dying. Attacks of anxiety at night, driving out of bed. Worse after midnight.

Burning pains; the affected parts burn like fire, as if hot coals were applied to parts. Cannot bear the smell or sight of food. Great thirst for cold water; drinks often, but little at a time; eats seldom, but much.

Gastric derangements; after cold fruits; ice cream; ice water; sour beer; bad sausage; alcoholic drinks; strong cheese.

Made worse - After midnight (1 to two AM or PM); from cold; cold drinks or food; when lying on affected side or with the head low.

Made better - From heat in general except headache, burning pain better by heat.

IPECAC:

In all conditions with constant and continual nausea.
Intermittent fever: starting with nausea, or from gastric disturbance.

Nausea: with profuse saliva; vomiting of white, mucus in large quantities, without relief; sleepy afterwards; worse from stooping forward.

Stomach: feels relaxed, as if hanging down; clutching, squeezing, griping, as from a hand, each finger sharply pressing into intestines; worse from motion.
Flatulent, cutting colic about navel.

Stool: grassy - green; of white mucus; bloody; fermented, foamy, slimy, like frothy molasses.
Cutting pains across abdomen from left to right.
Great fear and anguish; nervous restlessness; sudden sinking of strength; pains, burning; faint, anxious and weak early in morning.

Made worse by - Night, especially after midnight; cold drinks; cold in general;

Made better by - Warmth; lying with head high; fresh air to head.

NUX VOMICA:

Persons who are very particular, careful, but inclined to become easily excited or angered. Chilly and easily chilled.

Burping: sour, bitter; nausea and vomiting every morning with depression of spirits; after eating. 'If I could only vomit I would be so much better.'

Stomach: pressure an hour or two after eating as from a stone; tightness, must loosen clothing; cannot use the mind for two or three hours after a meal; sleepy after dinner.
Frequent desire for stools; anxious, ineffectual desire for stool, better for a time after stool. Alternates constipation and diarrhea.

Worse by - Morning; waking at four AM; mental exertion; after eating or over - eating; touch, noise, anger, spices, narcotics, dry weather; in cold air.

Better by - In evening, while at rest; lying down, and in damp, wet weather.

PODOPHYLLUM:

Diarrhea: of long standing; early in morning, continues through forenoon, followed by natural stool in evening; sensation of weakness or sinking in abdomen or rectum.
Diarrhea of children: during teething; after eating; while being bathed or washed; of dirty water soaking napkin through; with gagging.

Stool: green, watery, fetid and smelly, profuse; gushing out; chalk - like, jelly-like; undigested; yellow meal-like sediment. Fever at 7 AM, with great loquacity during chill and heat; sleep during perspiration.