Protect yourself from norovirus, as cases rise across country
As plummeting temperatures force people to gather inside more often, the odds of picking up an unwanted illness skyrocket.
Reported cases of norovirus, more commonly referred to as the “stomach bug,” are on the rise nationally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
That includes Western Pennsylvania, where many people have been reaching out to specialists for more information on how to best handle a virus that’s been around for a millennia.
“Our offices are getting a lot of phone calls about it,” said Dr. Joe Aracri, chairman of the Allegheny Health Network Pediatric Institute. “This is one of those illnesses that we ask you not to come into the office with. It’s usually best maintained at home through good hydration. There’s no good medicine that really helps this.”
Symptoms of norovirus typically begin 12 to 24 hours after initial exposure and usually start with a few hours of vomiting followed by a bout with diarrhea, according to Aracri.
About 685 million cases are reported across the world each year, according to Cleveland Clinic, and about 200 million of those affect children.
“It’s a virus that’s spread through touch, sharing glasses or contaminating food,” Aracri said. “Usually, it’s self-limiting and it lasts anywhere between one to three days.”
However, there are a few essential tips that can significantly decrease the chances of getting sick at all.
“The most important thing is doing good hand-washing,” Aracri said. “Doing that and making sure that you try to avoid touching your face are the best ways to prevent it.”
If you contract the bug, the easiest treatment is to drink the right substances to ensure a standard recovery time.
“If you would have the vomiting and diarrhea and you feel like you’re getting dehydrated, it’s best to treat with small, frequent sips of an electrolyte-based fluid such as Gatorade or Pedialyte,” Aracri added.
