Viruses
Adenovirus 40/41
Adenoviruses are non-enveloped, double-stranded DNA viruses from the Adenoviridae family, and subtypes 40 and 41 are known to cause gastroenteritis, and are associated with hospital-acquired infectious in children. Adenoviruses are spread through an infected person’s stool, and you can become infected when you touch contaminated surfaces then touch your face and mouth, including during diaper changes. Symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps, and may last for 5 to 12 days with viral particles shedding in stool for months after symptoms end. Serious illness is not common but those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk.
Norovirus GI/GII
Noroviruses are non-enveloped, single-strand RNA viruses that belong to the Caliciviridae family; two of the subgroups GI and GII cause gastroenteritis. Noroviruses are extremely contagious and you can become infected by having direct contact with someone who is infected, consuming contaminated food and water, and touching contaminated surfaces then touching your mouth. Symptoms of Norovirus include watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, and for some a loss of taste. Anyone can become infected, and outbreaks occur often as the virus can spread easily and quickly, it is estimated that Noroviruses cause about 90% of nonbacterial gastroenteritis.
Rotavirus A
Rotaviruses are double-stranded RNA viruses in the Reoviridae family that contain 8 species, A-H, type A is most associated with infections in humans. People who are infected with Rotavirus shed the virus in their poop which then enters the environment and can be spread through unhygienic practices. You can become infected when you touch contaminated surfaces then put your hands near or in your mouth, you can also become infected when eating contaminated food. Symptoms include severe watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, vomiting and fever. Rotavirus illness is most common in young children and infants, who are also most susceptible to the symptoms and can become dehydrated and need to be hospitalized.