<![CDATA[Last year, norovirus plagued some of our favorite local restaurant establishments and infected many people in our surrounding community. The virus commonly known as the stomach flu or bug is an intestinal virus that may cause acute gastroenteritis. It is highly contagious and can be transmitted from person to person by contaminated food and water and contaminated surfaces. Norovirus is very common in the winter time and as history can often repeat itself it is important to be aware of how to stay clean and healthy.
AFC Urgent Care West Hartford is here to help prepare you for a norovirus outbreak with prevention and treatment tips.
Wash rinse and repeat to prevent norovirus
Wash your hands! Do this throughout the day.
It’s simple, easy and can keep you safe after touching contaminated surfaces. It is best to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. As you should be washing your hands to keep you safe from winter illnesses like norovirus and the flu, it is important to remember to do so when you’re in areas where there are large populations. It is very common for norovirus to be present in schools, restaurants, hospitals, elder -care facilities and daycare centers. If you’re worried about your children coming into contact with norovirus partner up with their teachers to ensure that they’re practice good hygiene inside and out of the classroom.
Prevent norovirus by watching what you eat
As mentioned earlier, food establishments can be a breeding ground for norovirus. If you’re at a restaurant and you notice an employee touching your food without gloves, that is the first sign of unsafe food practices. Do not eat there! Safe food handling and preparation should include:
- Washing your hands well prior to handling foods
- Wearing disposable gloves
- Cooking food at the correct temperatures
- Cleaning/washing fruits and vegetables properly
If you’re an employee and you are sick with norovirus it is best to stay home and avoid going back to work until at least 3 days after symptoms have subsided.
Norovirus dehydrates. Stay hydrated!
Try to keep your fluids up if you begin to feel any symptoms. Symptoms can include one or more of the following:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Cramping
- Abdominal pain
- Low grade fever/chill
- Muscle aches
Sometimes we don’t realize that after repeated diarrhea or vomiting we lose precious amounts of water in our body. We can often become dehydrated and low on electrolytes. It is important to rehydrate and maintain hydration with frequent sips of water or a rehydration drinks such as pedialyte. Try to avoid sodas, alcohol and other juices that have too much sugar and not enough electrolytes.
AFC West Hartford is your local norovirus expert!
If you or a loved one has come into contact with norovirus, please stay isolated for at least 48 hours. If symptoms continue after 3-4 days, seek medical help. We are here for you and can point you in the right direction for your recovery needs. There’s no appointment needed at our AFC West Hartford Urgent Care Center. We are open 7 days a week from 8am-8pm weekdays, 8am-5pm weekends, and we accept most insurances. For more information contact us here or call us at 860-986-6440. ]]>
