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Norovirus cases on the rise in the Northeast
Dr. Purvi Parikh, clinical assistant professor of infectious diseases and immunology at NYU Langone, explains what norovirus is and how cases are increasing in the Northeast.
NEW YORK – Cases of highly contagious people norovirusalso known as stomach bugs, are increasing throughout the Northeast, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
This region has the highest percentage of cases in the United States.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionEach year, norovirus is responsible for causing between 19 and 21 million cases of vomiting and diarrhea in the United States, resulting in 465,000 emergency room visits, 109,000 hospitalizations, and 900 deaths.
Two weeks ago, Irving School in Highland Park, New Jersey, canceled classes due to a “gastrointestinal outbreak.” New Jersey.com reported.
Here you will find everything you need to know about the virus, including how it spreads and if you can get it twice.
What is norovirus?
Norovirus, also known as the “stomach flu” or “stomach bug,” is a highly contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea, the CDC said.
Anyone could become infected and get sick from Norovirus. The virus is not related to the flu, the agency said.
Norovirus symptoms include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Stomachache
- Fever
- Headache
- Body pain
“Generally, people develop stomach or gastrointestinal symptoms between 12 and 48 hours after being exposed,” said Dr. Purvi Parikh, clinical assistant professor of infectious diseases and immunology at NYU Langone. FOX 5 New York In an interview.
- Having direct contact with someone with norovirus, such as caring for them, sharing food or eating utensils with them, or eating food that they handle.
- Eating foods or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus.
- Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with Norovirus and then putting unwashed fingers in your mouth.
“It spreads by contact, by not washing your hands properly,” Parikh said. “Unfortunately, it can also live on surfaces for a long period of time, that’s what makes it so contiguous and it doesn’t respond well to hand sanitizer.”
How long does norovirus live on surfaces?
Norovirus can remain on objects and surfaces and still infect people for days or weeks. It can also survive some disinfectants, making it difficult to remove.
- Wash your hands frequently.
- Rinse fruits and vegetables.
- Cook seafood thoroughly.
- Stay home when you are sick and for two days after your symptoms go away.
- Avoid preparing food for other people when you are sick and for two days after your symptoms go away.
The CDC recommends drinking plenty of fluids to replace fluid loss and prevent dehydration. If you or someone you care for is dehydrated, call a doctor.
“The last time these rates were this high was around the same time last year, so we’re hoping this will be the peak and in a few weeks it should start going down,” Parikh said.
Antibiotics will not help with norovirus illness because they do not work on viruses.
There are many types of norovirus and you can get it more than once.
Norovirus contagious period
You are contagious from the moment you start feeling sick and for the first few days after you recover, the CDC said.
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