2 days Ago
(Image: Canva) Norovirus is highly contagious and the cases are now surging in the US. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shared the figures revealing that there were 91 cases in the first week of December and 69 cases in the last week of November. The virus that causes acute gastroenteritis is one of the most common causes of foodborne illness worldwide.
The CDC in a statement said that the number of cases reported in 2024 has exceeded the numbers that they saw during the previous years and pandemic. The data from the CDC also noted that almost 900 deaths every year are caused by norovirus in people above the age of 65. Symptoms and Transmission Norovirus is a stomach flu that causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, fever, occasional chills, fatigue, headache, and muscle aches.
Frequent vomiting can also cause dehydration. These symptoms usually appear 12 - 48 hours after exposure to the virus and the flu symptoms might last only for 3 days but the virus might linger in your body for at least 2 weeks. The flu is transmitted when contaminated food or water is consumed and close contact with the infected person increases the risk of infection transmission.
Prevention and treatment As there is no specific antiviral treatment for norovirus, doctors and hospitals mostly follow the protocol they follow for influenza viruses. Basic hygiene tips can prevent infection. With the number of cases increasing in winter in the US, doctors share prevention measures to reduce the transmission of norovirus.
Make sure to wash your hands frequently with soap and water. US health officials recommend that washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is mandatory. Make sure to wash your hands after using the toilet, changing diapers, eating, and cooking.
It is also important to wash your hands if you have touched any common surfaces that you are sharing in the workplace, or have used public transport. The CDC also warned that using hand sanitizer alone does not work well against norovirus. Norovirus spreads through the nose and mouth, so make sure not to touch your face before washing your hands with soap.
Also, properly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces. Wash all fruits and vegetables properly before cooking. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India .
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