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 find out about it, the best way to defend 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 sort of abdomen bug that usually spreads within the late fall, winter, and early spring. It will probably trigger stomach ache and cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Individuals 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 is not uncommon to really feel weak, in poor health, or have diarrhea many instances, which places youngsters, older adults, and folks 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 possibly can 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 standard 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 defend 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 toilet, altering diapers, and particularly earlier than consuming. One essential word: as handy as it’s, hand sanitizer is not going to kill norovirus particles. Garments which were dirty should be washed in scorching water and cleaning soap, and any floor which may be contaminated should be cleaned with bleach.
You also needs to make a behavior of washing vegatables and fruits effectively, and cooking oysters and different shellfish completely.
What’s the therapy for norovirus?
There sadly isn’t any therapy 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 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 word: Dr. Edith Bracho-Sanchez is a working towards pediatrician at Columbia College Irving Medical Heart, a contributing editor to SheKnows, and a mother to an energetic toddler.
