6 hours Ago By Ashima Sharda Mahindra
Health officials in the United States are raising an alarm about a significant rise in cases of norovirus—a common and highly contagious infection that causes nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea – across the country. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, norovirus infection is the number one cause of foodborne illness in the US. The virus has been spreading since the holiday season and has intensified with children returning to school and many people returning to the office, sending some people to emergency rooms.
Experts say even though the infection is a common virus every winter, there are massive upticks in spread this year, with multiple outbreaks reported even in evacuation shelters amid the Los Angeles wildfires. Dehydration is a major concern for the doctors Described as the "worst stomach bug" by those affected, norovirus leads to intense symptoms, which include severe dehydration, which is a major concern among the doctors. Healthcare experts are now educating people about knowing the symptoms and acting fast before they become serious.
Experts emphasize the importance of seeking medical attention if you cannot keep fluids down for 12-24 hours to avoid serious complications from dehydration. Doctors say nausea and vomiting are part of a vicious cycle—as you keep losing liquid, thereby losing electrolytes in your bloodstream, leading to more nausea and vomiting. Norovirus symptoms typically appear quickly and can last up to three days or more.
Preventing the spread of norovirus According to doctors, if you have the virus, your body sheds billions of tiny virus particles that can make others ill, too. It only takes a few particles to make someone else sick. Even after your symptoms stop, you are contagious for up to 48 hours.
To prevent the spread, follow these steps: Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds Wash every food before eating, including fruits and vegetables Cook your food thoroughly, especially seafood or shellfish, to an appropriate temperatureAvoid contact with people who have a norovirus infection Clean and sanitize frequently touched surfaces and objects Wash your clothes thoroughly with warm water, especially if they are soiled According to the CDC, hand sanitizers are not effective against the norovirus. What can you expect if you have norovirus? Norovirus symptoms are usually sudden and harsh and so doctors say you will likely be vomiting or having diarrhoea until the infection runs its course. Even eating or drinking anything would not be possible because of recurrent nausea.
But you will be putting yourself at risk of dehydration if you do not eat or drink so try having a liquid diet to replenish hydration and electrolytes. There are several strains of norovirus, so if you get sick once, it’s likely you can get sick again, as your body does not an immunity to every type of norovirus. The illness is temporary and does not usually cause any long-term effects.
When norovirus enters your body, it gets present in your poop before you experience symptoms. It can also stay in your system for up to two weeks after your symptoms go away. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Health and around the world.
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