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Norovirus Infection Center - Council Bluffs, IA

Council Bluffs Gastroenterologist Doctors for Norovirus Infection

Type of Physician: Gastroenterologist

What is a Gastroenterologist?

A subspecialty certification by the Board of Internal Medicine; practitioners focus on the stomach, intestines, colon, liver, and gallbladder (digestive organs). The gastroenterologist treats conditions such as abdominal pain, ulcers, diarrhea, cancer, and jaundice and they consult with surgeons when abdominal operations are indicated.

Specialty: Gastroenterology

Common Name: GI Doctor

Gastroenterologist Doctors in Council Bluffs *

Gastroenterology Consultants
Vedhagiri Selvakumar
801 Harmony St
STE STE 201
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712) 323-1230

Gary D Volentine MD
Gary D Volentine
801 Harmony St
STE 404
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712) 322-2332

Michael V Persaud MD
Michael V Persaud
2921 Golden Drive
Sioux City, IA 51105
(712) 255-1414

James L Hartje MD
James Hartje
2730 Pierce St
RM 403
Sioux City, IA 51104
(712) 255-5835

K L Preston DO
K L Preston
2918 Hamilton Blvd
STE D
Sioux City, IA 51104
(712) 277-2717

J W Roat MD
J W Roat
2910 Hamilton Blvd
Sioux City, IA 51104
(712) 252-1322

Council Bluffs, Iowa

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Norovirus Infection

What are noroviruses?

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause gastroenteritis (GAS-tro-en-ter-I-tis) in people. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines. The term norovirus is the official name for this group of viruses; however, several other names were used previously for noroviruses:

  • Norwalk-like viruses (NLVs),
  • caliciviruses (because they belong to the virus family Caliciviridae), and
  • small round structured viruses.

Viruses are very different from bacteria and parasites, some of which can cause illnesses similar to norovirus infection. Like all viral infections, noroviruses are not affected by treatment with antibiotics and cannot grow outside of a person's body.

What are the symptoms of illness caused by noroviruses?

The symptoms of norovirus illness usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. Sometimes people also have a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and a general sense of tiredness. The illness often begins suddenly, and the infected person may feel very sick. In most people the illness is self-limiting, with symptoms lasting for about 1 or 2 days. In general, diarrhea is more common in children and vomiting is more common in adults.

What is the name of the illness caused by noroviruses?

Illness caused by norovirus infection has several names:

  • stomach flu—this "stomach flu" is not related to the flu (or influenza), which is a respiratory illness caused by influenza virus;
  • viral gastroenteritis -- the most common name for illness caused by norovirus. Gastroenteritis refers to an inflammation of the stomach and intestines;
  • acute gastroenteritis;
  • non-bacterial gastroenteritis;
  • food poisoning (although there are other causes of food poisoning); an...

Recommended Reading Related to Norovirus Infection

PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) »

What is PCR (polymerase chain reaction)?

PCR (polymerase chain reaction) is a method to analyze a short sequence of DNA (or RNA) even in samples containing only minute quantities of DNA or RNA. PCR is used to reproduce (amplify) selected sections of DNA or RNA. Previously, amplification of DNA involved cloning the segments of interest into vectors for expression in bacteria, and took weeks. But now, with PCR done in test tubes, it takes only a few hours. PCR is highly efficient so that untold numbers of copies can be made of the DNA. Moreover, PCR uses the same molecules that nature uses for copying DNA:

  • Two "primers", short single-stranded DNA sequences that are synthesized to correspond to the beginning and ending of the DNA stretch to be copied;
  • An enzyme called polymerase that moves along the segment of DNA, reading its code and assembling a copy; and
  • A pile of DNA building blocks that the polymerase needs t...

Emergency Contact for Council Bluffs

  • In case of Emergency, call 911

Nearby Council Bluffs Hospitals *

Alegent Health Mercy Hospital Council Bluffs
800 Mercy Dr
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712)328-5000

Jennie Edmundson Hospital
933 E Pierce St
Council Bluffs, IA 51503
(712)396-6000

Boys Town National Research Hospital
555 N 30th St
Omaha, NE 68131
(402)498-6511

Creighton University Medical Center
601 N 30th St
Omaha, NE 68131
(402)449-4000

Douglas County Healthcare Center
4102 Woolworth Ave
Omaha, NE 68105
(402)444-7000

The Nebraska Medical Center Clarkson Tower
4350 Dewey Ave
Omaha, NE 68198
(402)559-4000

The Nebraska Medical Center University Tower
4400 Emile St
Omaha, NE 68198
(402)559-4000

VA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System Omaha Division
4101 Woolworth Ave
Omaha, NE 68105
(402)346-8800

Alegent Health Bergan Mercy Medical Center
7500 Mercy Rd
Omaha, NE 68124
(402)398-6060

Children's Hospital
8200 Dodge St
Omaha, NE 68114
(402)955-5400

Nebraska Methodist Hospital
8303 Dodge St
Omaha, NE 68114
(402)354-4000

Alegent Health Immanuel Medical Center
6901 N 72nd St
Omaha, NE 68122
(402)572-2121

Alegent Health Midlands Community Hospital
11111 S 84th St
Papillion, NE 68046
(402)593-3000

Select Specialty Hospital Omaha South
11111 S 84th St
Papillion, NE 68046
(402)898-2700

Nebraska Orthopaedic Hospital
2808 S 143rd Plz
Omaha, NE 68144
(402)637-0600

Alegent Health Lakeside Hospital
16901 Lakeside Hills Ct
Omaha, NE 68130
(402)717-8000

Alegent Health Community Memorial Hospital
631 N 8th St
Missouri Valley, IA 51555
(712)642-2784

Memorial Community Hospital
810 N 22nd St
Blair, NE 68008
(402)426-2182

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