New Delhi, May 12 -- News of recent outbreaks aboard cruise ships has once again put viral infections in the spotlight. Over 100 passengers and crew members reportedly fell sick during a norovirus outbreak on the Caribbean Princess cruise ship, while a separate hantavirus scare linked to the expedition ship MV Hondius raised concerns online. Many people began asking the same question, "Are norovirus and hantavirus the same thing?"

The answer is "not really". While both are viral infections, they differ greatly in how they spread, the symptoms they cause, and the level of danger involved. According to Dr Sanjith Saseedharan, Director - Critical Care at S.L. Raheja Hospital, Mahim, understanding these differences is important because misin...