January 21, 2008

Medical and nursing officials at Penobscot Valley Hospital in Lincoln have started to notice more cases of norovirus. Also known as Norwalk-like viruses and caliciviruses, cause an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, resulting in vomiting, nausea, and/or diarrhea. Quite often, a norovirus is mistakenly referred to as the stomach flu, but it is not related to influenza or the typical flu. Outbreaks of norovirus can happen in many settings, including catered events, swimming pools, hospitals, cruise ships, and schools. Norovirus is extremely contagious. Symptoms normally begin 1 to 2 days after ingesting the virus.

The symptoms of norovirus illness usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. PVH Infection Control Practitioner Sherry McCafferty says, “Sometimes people also have a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and a general sense of tiredness. The illness often begins suddenly, and the infected person may feel very sick. In general, children have more vomiting than adults.” McCafferty says often people with norovirus have a hard time drinking enough liquids to replace what’s lost. This problem with dehydration is usually only seen among the very young, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems.

People can become infected with norovirus in several ways including:

· eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus
· touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus and then placing their hand in their mouths
· having direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms

There are a number of ways to protect yourself from this sort of illness:

· Frequently wash your hands, especially after bathroom visits and changing diapers, also before eating or preparing food
· Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and steam oysters before eating them
· Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after an episode of illness by using a bleach-based household cleaner
· Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with virus after an episode of illness (use hot water and soap)

Frequent hand washing is the biggest key to preventing many viruses this time of year. For more information on norovirus, contact your doctor.