Stuffy noses and bothersome coughs aren’t the one winter sickness signs making the rounds proper now. A lot of individuals are additionally getting sick with norovirus, an disagreeable abdomen bug. The extremely contagious virus is on the rise in lots of states throughout the nation.
What’s norovirus? “It is our most common cause of vomiting and diarrhea, and actually food-borne illness in the United States,” stated Dr. Brintha Vasagar, a household doctor in Wisconsin.
These are the 2 most typical signs, however fever, physique aches and stomachaches are typically reported, too.
We sometimes expertise larger charges of norovirus “from November to April, so we’re still pretty early in this season,” Vasagar added.
Norovirus instances are presently elevated, however a little bit decrease than the place they have been by this time final 12 months, stated Dr. Camile Gooden, an inside drugs doctor at NYU Langone Hospital—Suffolk in New York. Nonetheless, “Recently, there has been a surge in norovirus … we’re seeing more positive testing,” Gooden added. This is because of a brand new pressure of the virus.
The virus spreads simply and in several methods than different winter viruses. Right here’s what to know:
Norovirus spreads by way of vomit and fecal particles.
Whereas frequent winter sicknesses such because the flu and COVID-19 unfold by way of coughs and sneezes, norovirus spreads otherwise.
“Traditionally, it’s [spread through] what we call the fecal-oral route, so stool to mouth, but it’s a pretty darn resilient virus, so it’s not like you’re licking other people’s poop,” stated Dr. Ross Newman, a pediatrician primarily based in Oregon and a medical communicator on social media.
As an alternative, contaminated particles find yourself on folks’s fingers or surfaces they contact — and might typically even unfold by way of the air, he defined.
If somebody who has norovirus doesn’t wash their fingers properly after utilizing the lavatory after which makes use of a towel to dry their fingers, that towel can then grow to be a provider. Then, if a non-infected particular person makes use of that towel to dry their fingers, they might choose up the virus.
“It can exist on surfaces for long periods of time … it can be on blankets, gloves, clothing, hair, skin … or it can just be from filthy hands,” Newman added.
Contaminated surfaces can grow to be a “source of spread,” added Gooden, which is how norovirus generally rips by way of locations with long-term care settings, day cares and cruise ships — all areas the place individuals are in shut quarters and touching the identical door handles, tables, gentle switches and toys.
It could additionally unfold by way of meals.
Norovirus may also unfold by way of contaminated meals, in response to Gooden. “If you eat food that has not been washed properly and is contaminated, you could also get ill,” famous Gooden.
This might be from a sick particular person getting ready the meals and even from contaminated uncooked produce, she stated.
“You want to make sure that when you are consuming raw vegetables and raw fruits, that those have been washed appropriately because sometimes, even on farms, there might be exposure through irrigation systems to norovirus,” Gooden stated.
You don’t want any fancy produce soaps, as an alternative washing produce properly with water is sufficient to kill the virus, Gooden stated.
Norovirus may also unfold by way of shellfish that turns into contaminated by contaminated water. On this case, totally cooking shellfish can kill the virus, in response to Vasagar.
Hand sanitizer doesn’t kill norovirus, which makes correct hand washing essential for prevention.
“The best way to protect yourself is really to perform good hand washing — and you have to use soap and water. You can’t rely on hand sanitizers necessarily, especially if you’ve touched contaminated surfaces or have come in contact with someone who is ill with norovirus,” Gooden stated.
A fast hand rinse isn’t ok; use sizzling water and cleaning soap, and wash your fingers for “the full Happy Birthday song, twice,” Vasagar confused. “Most people don’t wash their hands long enough to really be effective.”
Past hand-washing, disinfecting surfaces with bleach-based cleansers and washing linens continuously can kill the virus, Vasagar famous. That is particularly essential if somebody in your house is sick.
“The spread is … so contagious that you’re really going to have to work hard to make sure everyone else in the family doesn’t get it,” Vasagar stated.
Grace Cary by way of Getty Photographs
Should you get sick, keep residence, hydrate and monitor for extreme signs.
“The vomiting associated with norovirus is generally short-lived, 24 to 48 hours, but the diarrhea can last two weeks,” Newman stated.
Individuals are most contagious the primary one or two days after their signs begin, however they’ll shed the virus for weeks after that time, Newman added.
Should you get sick, keep residence (and preserve sick youngsters residence) in the event you’re ready, all three consultants advised HuffPost. Additionally be careful for dehydration, which is “the biggest concern with complications from most stomach bugs,” Newman stated.
“You’re losing a lot of fluids with vomiting, a lot of fluids with diarrhea,” Vasagar stated. Indicators of dehydration embody decreased urination, dizziness, dry mouth, and confusion and fatigue. Should you discover any of those signs, get to a health care provider.
To fight dehydration, drink loads of fluids, whether or not that’s water, tea, Gatorade or soup, Gooden famous. Even in the event you’re throwing up, it is best to nonetheless drink small quantities of fluids.
“It’s really important to monitor for any development of severe symptoms,” Gooden stated. “If your symptoms continue beyond 72 hours, usually, that’s a time that I would advise to reach out to your health care professional.”
In case you have fevers, extreme belly ache or develop blood in your stool, it is best to search medical consideration, Gooden added.
