It’s been a tough winter for a lot of households throughout the nation. On prime of the standard cold and flu season, norovirus, an especially contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea, has been on the rise throughout the nation for weeks, in response to the CDC.
Right here’s what to learn about it, find out how to shield your self, your children, and your family members, and what to do do you have to be unfortunate sufficient to get it.
What’s norovirus and what are its signs?
Norovirus is a kind of abdomen bug that sometimes spreads within the late fall, winter, and early spring. It will probably trigger stomach ache and cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Folks develop signs inside 12 to 48 hours of being uncovered to the virus, and the sickness often resolves inside 3 days. Throughout these 3 days, it’s common to really feel weak, ailing, or have diarrhea many instances, which places kids, older adults, and other people with underlying medical situations at risk for dehydration.
How does norovirus unfold?
People who find themselves contaminated with norovirus shed billions of viral particles of their stool, and it solely takes a couple of particles to make others sick. You may come into contact with norovirus particles by sharing meals, utensils, or consuming meals dealt with by somebody with the sickness; by consuming contaminated meals (shellfish are a typical wrongdoer seen within the December 2024 outbreak), or by touching contaminated surfaces after which placing your fingers in your mouth.
How are you going to shield your self and your family members from norovirus?
Wash your hands with cleaning soap and water for at the very least 20 seconds after utilizing the lavatory, altering diapers, and particularly earlier than consuming. One necessary be aware: as handy as it’s, hand sanitizer won’t kill norovirus particles. Garments which were dirty need to be washed in scorching water and cleaning soap, and any floor which may be contaminated have to be cleaned with bleach.
You must also make a behavior of washing vegetables and fruit nicely, and cooking oysters and different shellfish totally.
What’s the remedy for norovirus?
There sadly isn’t any remedy for norovirus particularly, so getting satisfactory hydration whereas the sickness runs its course is vital. Small however frequent quantities of liquids are simpler for babies (and adults) to maintain down on the peak of the sickness. Oral rehydration solutions with electrolytes are additionally a good suggestion, and in case your baby refuses these, resorting to issues like popsicles could give them simply sufficient hydration to really feel a little bit bit higher, after which drink some extra.
When do you have to search for assist for norovirus?
The principle factor to look out for throughout an sickness brought on by norovirus is dehydration. That may manifest as dry lips and mouth, peeing lower than regular, and feeling lightheaded. In babies, dehydration may cause them to be very cranky or irritable, or to appear very drained. Name your physician in case you are seeing early indicators of dehydration and search pressing medical assist in case your baby has not peed in over 12 hours, or appears torpid.
Editor’s be aware: Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez is a working towards pediatrician at Columbia College Irving Medical Middle, a contributing editor to SheKnows, and a mother to an lively toddler.
