Norovirus, which can affect even healthy people, usually lasts 24 to 48 hours and isn’t considered dangerous if diagnosed early. However, it can cause dehydration and other complications when left untreated, especially in the elderly, young children, and those with chronic health conditions like diabetes or heart disease. Michigan residents are urged to take precautions against norovirus by washing their hands frequently and avoiding close contact with anyone who seems sick or exhibiting symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting.
What is Norovirus?
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. It spreads through contact with contaminated food or water, touching contaminated surfaces, or having close contact with someone who has the virus. The illness typically lasts one to three days. Symptoms include nausea, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and vomiting. Anyone can get norovirus but it is most common among young children and older adults.
Noroviruses are very contagious; they are spread from person to person or through contaminated food or water. You can also be exposed by touching surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus or by having close contact with someone who is infected with norovirus. A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed. Although anyone can contract norovirus, those at higher risk for infection include young children (especially toddlers), elderly persons over 65 years old, pregnant women, and people with chronic illnesses such as diabetes, cancer, liver disease, and kidney disease. Children under five years old account for about 70% of all hospitalizations due to severe dehydration caused by severe vomiting (hyperemesis).
How is it Spread?
Norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug, is highly contagious and can be spread through contact with an infected person or vomit or stool. The virus can also be spread through contaminated food or water, touching surfaces and then putting your hand in your mouth, close contact with someone who has norovirus illness, and touching surfaces contaminated with norovirus. While people of all ages can get norovirus illness, it is most common among young children. Eating raw shellfish (such as oysters), drinking alcohol, and having a weakened immune system are risk factors for developing norovirus illness. Some tell-tale signs include diarrhea, stomach pain/cramps, nausea, and vomiting. There is no treatment for norovirus infection so individuals should drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. People with diarrhea should seek medical attention if they develop a fever over 101°F, bloody stools, or pain while passing urine. Children experiencing these symptoms should be seen by a healthcare provider right away because they may have developed HUS (Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome).
Home Remedies for a Norovirus Attack in Michigan
The norovirus is one of the most common stomach viruses. It is highly contagious and can affect people of all ages. Taking precautions against the virus could help prevent an illness or lessen its severity. Here are some home remedies that may be helpful:
- Drink plenty of fluids like water, clear broth, or sports drinks.
- Eat light foods like toast, crackers, bananas, and other fruits without skin (which may not be safe for those with a severely compromised immune system).
- Take over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve aches and pains. Remember to take them as directed by your physician.
How can you secure yourself?
Norovirus is a virus that can cause stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting. It is highly contagious and usually lasts a few days. There are some things you can do to protect yourself from norovirus:
1) Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
2) Do not prepare food for others if you have symptoms of norovirus.
3) Cover your mouth with a tissue or sleeve when coughing or sneezing.
4) Stay home from work or school if you have symptoms of norovirus.
5) Keep surfaces that come in contact with food clean (for example, use bleach).
6) Disinfect any shared surfaces (such as countertops and sinks).
How to Avoid Getting Sick When Around Others
There are several simple ways that you can avoid getting sick when around others. First and foremost, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before eating or touching any part of your body. Second, if you have a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, avoid preparing food for other people. And third, try not to share food or drinks with anyone else while they are sick.
Symptoms
Noroviruses are a group of related viruses that are the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis worldwide. Symptoms usually start suddenly, within 1 day after exposure, and include nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and diarrhea. The illness is usually mild with symptoms lasting 1 or 2 days. In general, older adults and young children are more likely to get severely ill than healthy adults. This virus spreads very easily from person to person through close contact or by touching contaminated surfaces. Common sources of contamination include people who are infected and do not wash their hands well; raw food, especially shellfish; fruits and vegetables that have been handled by someone who is sick or does not wash their hands well; human feces; soiled diapers; and contaminated water.
Treatment
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is urging residents to take precautions against norovirus, which causes vomiting and diarrhea. The virus is highly contagious, so it’s important for people who get sick to stay home from work or school, especially if they work in food service.
Norovirus can be spread through contact with an infected person’s stool or vomit, touching contaminated surfaces, eating food handled by someone with the virus, and then not washing properly before it is served again. It’s also possible for the virus to spread when a person touches his nose or mouth after coming into contact with something that is contaminated with the virus. The MDHHS recommends washing hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds using warm water and soap, particularly after going to the bathroom, changing diapers, or blowing one’s nose.
Prevention
Norovirus is a virus that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and other stomach problems. It spreads through contact with an infected person or contaminated food or water. Wash your hands carefully with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after using the toilet and changing diapers. Throw away anything that might be contaminated with norovirus (such as vomit, stool, or dirty laundry). If you’re sick, stay home from work and school until at least 48 hours after the last episode of vomiting or diarrhea (or if your doctor says it’s OK), even if you’re feeling better in between episodes. Call your healthcare provider right away if: – You have blood or pus in your vomit or stools – Your skin becomes yellowish – You have signs of dehydration like not peeing enough, a dry mouth and throat, dark urine, dizziness when standing up
-You think you need medicine but don’t know which one
-You feel confused about whether to continue taking medicine
-You are unable to eat enough calories each day
Conclusion
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that can be easily transmitted by close contact with an infected person. The symptoms of norovirus infection may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. To protect yourself and your family from contracting the virus:
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water or use alcohol-based hand sanitizer; – Avoid sharing food or eating from the same utensil as others; – Disinfect contaminated surfaces with a household cleaner containing bleach; – Stay home if you are experiencing symptoms of norovirus infection and avoid close contact with others until you have been symptom-free for at least two days.