Can norovirus cause a sore throat?

Generally speaking, the throat refers to the pharynx. Whether norovirus infection causes a sore throat mainly depends on whether the virus directly infects the pharyngeal area or whether vomiting causes stomach acid to irritate the throat. When the virus spreads through the respiratory tract or when the throat is irritated by vomit, a sore throat may develop. However, when the infection is limited to the gastrointestinal tract and there is no vomiting or only occasional vomiting, a sore throat typically does not occur. If discomfort occurs, timely medical attention is recommended. A detailed explanation is as follows:

Although norovirus primarily targets the gastrointestinal tract, in some cases it can spread through droplets or via hand-to-mouth contact after touching contaminated objects, thereby indirectly infecting mucosal cells in the throat and triggering a local inflammatory reaction that leads to a sore throat. Norovirus infection may also be accompanied by severe vomiting, during which gastric acid in the vomit flows back into the throat, chemically irritating and damaging the mucous membranes, which can also cause symptoms such as a sore throat and a burning sensation.

Most people infected with norovirus may only exhibit gastrointestinal symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. If the virus does not affect the throat or other respiratory tissues, a sore throat will not occur. If the infection is mild or asymptomatic, with limited viral replication and localized inflammation confined to the gastrointestinal tract, without causing systemic or localized throat inflammation, a sore throat will also not occur.

In daily life, close contact with infected individuals should be avoided, especially during their acute phase. Additionally, personal items such as tableware and drinking cups should not be shared to prevent indirect transmission of the virus through contact.