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According data from the Centers for Disease Control and PreventionNorovirus, also known as the stomach virus, is spreading in the northeastern region of the United States.
Now, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health is urging residents to take precautions to stop the spread.
What is norovirus?
Norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting, diarrhea and foodborne illness in the United States, the CDC said.
Norovirus can also be called a stomach virus or stomach flu. Anyone can become infected and it spreads very easily and quickly.
How is it spread?
Health officials said you can get norovirus by having direct contact with someone who is infected. You can also become infected by eating food or drinking liquids contaminated with norovirus.
Additionally, if you touch a surface or objects that are contaminated with norovirus and then put your unwashed fingers in your mouth, you could become infected.
Philadelphia health officials said the best way to protect yourself from contracting this stomach virus is to wash your hands thoroughly and frequently.
“You should also consider using hand sanitizer when you’re out in public. Many stores still have pump bottles of hand sanitizer on their counters; take advantage of them! Hand sanitizer doesn’t work well for norovirus, but it works well for most other common infections we are seeing right now, including COVID-19 and the flu,” health officials said in a news release.
What are the symptoms?
The CDC said the most common symptoms of norovirus are:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Stomachache
- Fever
- Headache
- Body pain
What should you do if you are infected?
Philadelphia health officials said you should stay hydrated and get enough rest.
It is also best to continually disinfect everything you may come into contact with, especially the bathroom.
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