by Julianna Atchley | Apr 28, 2024 | Walk In Clinic

After a long day at work, you arrive at your child’s daycare only to be greeted with unsettling news: several children and a staff member are sick, and norovirus is suspected. You’re handed an informational sheet and urged to step up handwashing routines for your family. With a family picnic just days away, you can’t help but worry about the potential disruption.

What is the Norovirus?

Norovirus, often misnamed as the “stomach flu,” is a highly contagious virus causing gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. Unlike influenza, which is a respiratory illness, norovirus is a gastrointestinal menace, spreading rapidly through contaminated food, water, and surfaces.

Recognizing the Symptoms

Norovirus strikes with alarming speed and severity. Symptoms can appear within hours of exposure and last up to three days, with the infected remaining contagious for up to two weeks post-recovery. Here’s what to watch for:

• Nausea and Vomiting: Intense nausea often leads to sudden, forceful vomiting.
• Diarrhea and Stomach Cramps: Severe diarrhea accompanied by painful stomach cramps is common.
• The symptoms overlap with other illnesses, making it tricky to diagnose without a fecal test. If you’re unsure, consider the rapid onset and duration of symptoms.

How Norovirus Spreads

Norovirus spreads through:

• Direct or Indirect Contact: Handshakes, shared utensils, or changing diapers of an infected person.
• Contaminated Food and Water: Particularly raw oysters and improperly washed vegetables.
• Contaminated Surfaces: Touching a contaminated surface and then your mouth.
• Infected Environments: Daycares, nursing homes, and schools are particularly susceptible.
• The virus can linger on surfaces for weeks and remains infectious in water not treated with chlorine.

How to Prevent Norovirus

1. Handwashing
2. Proper handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is crucial, especially after using the bathroom or handling food. Hand sanitizers are ineffective against norovirus.
3. Surface Disinfection
4. Disinfect surfaces with a bleach solution (3/4 cup of bleach per gallon of water) and let it sit for five minutes. For non-bleach options, refer to the Environmental Protection Agency’s list of effective antimicrobial products.
5. Isolation – If you or a family member is infected, stay home and avoid contact with others to prevent spreading the virus.

Managing Norovirus

Dehydration is a serious risk, particularly for young children, the elderly, and those with compromised immune systems. Watch for:

• Reduced Urination
• Dry Mouth and Throat
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Children may also be unusually fussy or groggy. To manage symptoms, hydrate with water and electrolyte solutions, and eat small amounts of food to keep your stomach settled.

Staying Ahead of Norovirus

Norovirus thrives from November to April in North America. Its rapid mutation means past immunity doesn’t guarantee future protection. Maintaining good hygiene and proper food handling are your best defenses.

In the hustle of everyday life, it’s easy to become complacent about handwashing and hygiene. But norovirus’s high contagion rate and severe symptoms are a stark reminder of the importance of these practices. With diligence, you can greatly reduce your risk and keep your family healthy through norovirus season and beyond.

Seeking Medical Help

Visit our walk-in clinic team at AFC Urgent Care Dalton if your symptoms are persisting or worsening after 48 hours, or if you begin to run a high fever and are showing signs of dehydration.