Over the last couple of weeks, Penobscot Valley Hospital has seen an increase in the diagnosis of norovirus. Norovirus is also knows as “the stomach bug” and is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in the United States. This highly contagious illness can cause diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Penobscot Valley Hospital is asking people to take precautions such as frequent hand washing to avoid spreading the norovirus or other illnesses this winter.
According to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, individuals may become very sick with acute vomiting and diarrhea lasting 1-2 days. Some people also have a low-grade fever, chills, headache, and muscle aches. The most common complication from norovirus is dehydration, and some people who fall ill may require replacement fluids through an IV.
Norovirus is highly contagious and is transmitted in stool and vomit. Exposure can result through direct contact with a person who is ill, by consuming food or liquids that are prepared or handled by an ill person, and through contact with surfaces or objects that have been contaminated.
People become infected by:
- Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus.
- Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with noroviruses and then putting your hand or fingers in your mouth.
- Having direct contact with a person who is infected with norovirus (for example, when caring for someone with norovirus or sharing foods or eating utensils with them).
PVH Infection Prevention Practitioner Sherry McCafferty, RN, adds, “Noroviruses are the most common cause of food-borne outbreaks. This virus is extremely contagious and can spread rapidly through congregated facilities such as day-care, long term care and school environments.”
A few simple measures can help drastically reduce your chances of catching norovirus or other illnesses.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water—especially after you use the restroom and before you eat. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers may be a helpful addition to hand washing, but they are not a substitute for washing with soap and water.
- Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and cook oysters and other shellfish thoroughly before eating them.
- Carry a liquid hand sanitizer, and use it frequently.
If you do become ill with norovirus, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends:
- Stay home to avoid spreading the norovirus to your friends and coworkers.
- Do not prepare food for others while you have symptoms and for 3 days after you recover from the illness.
- Disinfect contaminated surfaces by using a bleach-based household cleaner.
- Immediately wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with detergent at the maximum available cycle length and machine dry.
- Rest and replace fluids to avoid dehydration.
The CDC estimates that more than 20 million cases of acute stomach illnesses are due to norovirus infections each year. That means that approximately 1 in 15 Americans will get norovirus illness each year. Remember to practice proper handwashing techniques to keep yourself and those around you safe this holiday season. |