This Highly Transmissible Winter Virus Is Surging Across The Country — And Its Symptoms Are A Nightmare
Stuffy nose and irritating coughs aren’t the only symptoms of winter sickness doing the rounds right now. Many people also get sick from norovirus, an unpleasant stomach upset. Highly contagious virus on the rise in many states nationwide.
What is norovirus? “This is the most common cause of vomiting and diarrhea and actually foodborne illness in the United States,” he said. Dr. Brintha VasagarA family physician in Wisconsin.
These are the two most common symptoms. but fever, body aches and stomach aches It is sometimes reported.
HuffPost Life offers practical, trustworthy advice for overcoming life’s challenges and making informed decisions. Support journalism that empowers you — Join our membership program today.
“From November to April, we typically experience higher rates of norovirus, so we are pretty early in the season,” Vasagar added.
Norovirus cases are currently high, but slightly lower than this time last year. Dr. Camile GoodenDr., an internal medicine physician at NYU Langone Hospital in Suffolk, New York. But Gooden added, “There has been an increase in norovirus recently…we are seeing more positive tests.” This is due to a new strain of the virus.
Health: The Surprising Science Behind Why You Can’t Get a Song Out of Your Head
The virus spreads more easily and in different ways than other winter viruses. Here’s what you need to know:
Norovirus is spread through vomit and fecal particles.
Like common winter diseases cold and COVID-19 spreads through coughing and sneezing, while norovirus spreads differently.
“Traditionally [spread through] “It’s what we call the fecal-oral route, that is, from feces to the mouth, but this is a very resistant virus, so it’s not like licking other people’s poop,” he said. Dr. Ross NewmanAn Oregon-based pediatrician and medical communicator social media.
Instead, he explained, contaminated particles end up on people’s hands or surfaces they touch, and can sometimes even spread into the air.
Health: Norovirus Cases Are Increasing. These Are the Most Common Symptoms Doctors See Now.
If a person with norovirus does not wash their hands properly after using the bathroom and then uses a towel to dry their hands, that towel may become a carrier. Then, if an uninfected person uses this towel to dry their hands, they can contract the virus.
“It can linger on surfaces for long periods of time…it can be on blankets, gloves, clothing, hair, skin…or it can just be from dirty hands,” Newman added.
Contaminated surfaces can become a “source of spread,” Gooden added, noting that this is how norovirus commonly spreads in areas such as long-term care settings, daycares and cruise ships, where people are in close quarters and touch the same doorknobs, tables, light switches and toys.
It can also spread through food.
Norovirus can also spread through contaminated food, according to Gooden. “If you eat food that is not properly washed and contaminated, you can get sick,” Gooden said.
Health: 9 Things Eye Doctors Never Ignore
This could be due to a sick person preparing the food or even contaminated raw produce, he said.
“When you consume raw vegetables and raw fruits, you want to make sure they are washed properly because sometimes even on farms you can be exposed to norovirus through irrigation systems,” Gooden said.
Gooden said you don’t need any fancy product soap, instead washing the products thoroughly with water is enough to kill the virus.
Norovirus can also spread from shellfish contaminated with infected water. In this case, completely cooking the shellfish can kill the virus, according to Vasagar.
Health: If You’re Having Trouble Sleeping, You Might Want to Try This Super Simple Tip
Hand sanitizer does not kill norovirus, making proper hand washing crucial for prevention.
“The best way to protect yourself is really good hand washing and you need to use soap and water. You can’t necessarily rely on hand sanitizers, especially if you’ve touched contaminated surfaces or come into contact with someone who has norovirus,” Gooden said.
A quick hand rinse isn’t good enough; Use hot water and soap and wash your hands “during the entire Happy Birthday song twice,” Vasagar emphasized. “Most people don’t wash their hands long enough to be truly effective.”
Beyond hand washing, disinfecting surfaces with bleach-based cleaners and washing linens frequently can kill the virus, Vasagar noted. This is especially important if someone in your home is sick.
“The spread is so contagious that you’re going to have to work really hard to make sure everyone else in the family doesn’t get the virus,” Vasagar said.
Norovirus is the most common cause of vomiting and diarrhea. Grace Cary via Getty Images
If you get sick, stay home, stay hydrated, and watch for serious symptoms.
“Vomiting due to norovirus is usually short-lived, 24 to 48 hours, but diarrhea can last up to two weeks,” Newman said.
Newman added that people are most contagious in the first day or two after the onset of symptoms, but they can spread the virus for weeks after that point.
If you get sick, stay home (and keep sick kids home, too) if you can, all three experts told HuffPost. Also watch out for dehydration, which is “the biggest concern with complications from most stomach bugs,” Newman said.
“You lose a lot of fluid with vomiting, and you lose a lot of fluid with diarrhea,” Vasagar said. Symptoms of dehydration include decreased urination, dizziness, dry mouth, confusion and fatigue. If you notice any of these symptoms, consult a doctor.
Gooden noted drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, tea, Gatorade or soup, to combat dehydration. Even if you are vomiting, you should still drink small amounts of liquid.
“It’s really important to watch for the development of any serious symptoms,” Gooden said. “If your symptoms persist for more than 72 hours, this is usually a time when I would recommend contacting your healthcare provider.”
Gooden added that you should seek medical attention if you have a fever, severe abdominal pain, or have blood in your stool.
