It’s Noro Easter.
Norovirus, a highly contagious gastroenteritis, is spreading across the northeast, with schools closed and residents suffering from severe diarrhea and other alarming symptoms.
“It’s incredibly contagious,” said Dr. Alfred Sacchetti of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Camden, New Jersey. ABC News. “It only takes one drop of norovirus to make you sick.”
Recent data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The Northeast, especially Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York, Hypervirulent strains have the highest positive rate. In early February, an astonishing 14% of swab tests conducted in the region came back positive for gastrointestinal illnesses.
This is up from about 12% two weeks ago and just 4% in November, before the outbreak.
“My 2-year-old son has been having stomach issues for the last week. It seems like his whole nursery is having problems,” said Jacob, of Cherry Hill, N.J., whose family has been affected by the disease. Joyner said.
And it’s not just parts of the Mid-Atlantic region that are affected.
Norovirus cases are also on the rise nationwide, with 12% of tests coming back positive, an increase of 3% from November.
Unfortunately, there are multiple types of stomach bugs and they are reported to be the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis or gastrointestinal problems in the United States, resulting in 19 million to 21 million cases per yearaccording to the CDC.
Infections typically spike from February to March. Likely to be confined indoors Therefore, they are close to each other.
Patients usually contract the virus by ingesting contaminated food or liquids, touching contaminated surfaces, or interacting with people infected with the virus.
According to the CDCa person who becomes infected from another person usually becomes infected by caring for that person, sharing food or utensils, or eating food that that person has handled.
Once infected, patients can experience a number of alarming symptoms, ranging from severe diarrhea to abdominal pain and vomiting, which can lead to significant fluid loss and ultimately dehydration.
These complications begin within 12 to 48 hours after exposure and can last up to 3 days.
Noroviruses are particularly insidious because they are easily transmitted from person to person. It only takes a few particles to make someone sick, but infected people often remain contagious for weeks after their symptoms improve.
Children in particular are likely to facilitate the spread of contagious diseases, with several schools and daycare centers in the Northeast devastated.
Earlier this month, Irving Elementary School in Middlesex County, New Jersey, was closed due to an outbreak of stomach bugs. According to ABC News, it has reopened after extensive cleaning.
Fortunately, you can reduce the spread of norovirus by washing fruits and vegetables, thoroughly cooking shellfish, and, of course, washing your hands, according to the CDC.
Unfortunately, unlike coronaviruses and other insects, norovirus is resistant to hand sanitizers.
“Purell and alcohol-based products do not pass through the viral envelope and are infectious even if you get them on your hands,” Sacchetti asserted. “The only thing that can really protect you from this is soap and water.”
Meanwhile, people infected with the virus are advised to stay at home during their illness and for two days afterwards and avoid preparing food for others.
You should also drink plenty of fluids to replace fluids lost through vomiting and diarrhea. This will help prevent dehydration, which can be the most serious symptom of the disease.
