It’s peak norovirus season. Here’s what you can do to avoid getting sick

East Providence, Rhode Island (WPRI) — We’re in the middle of norovirus season. Rhode Island Department of Health encourages people around the world to take steps to avoid getting sick.

norovirus It is a highly contagious disease also known as viral gastroenteritis, gastroenteritis, or food poisoning. Symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and abdominal pain.

The virus is most commonly spread in schools, day care centers and nursing homes, but health officials say anyone can become infected.

“You can become infected by direct contact with an infected person by eating food or drinking liquid contaminated with norovirus, touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus, or putting your hands in your mouth. ” public health center Say.

Good news. Symptoms usually subside within two days, the department said. However, children, the elderly, and immunocompromised people are at higher risk of dehydration.

Here are some tips to prevent norovirus infection.

• maintain proper hygiene. Wash your hands with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and before and after eating. Adding (not replacing) alcohol-based hand sanitizer can also help fight harmful germs.
• Please be careful in the kitchen. Wash fruits and vegetables before cooking or eating them.Please cook any shellfish before eating.
• Limit activities if infected. To prevent the spread, avoid preparing food for others while you have symptoms of norovirus.
• disinfect. After you get sick, clean any potentially contaminated surfaces with a bleach-based cleaner.
• wash the laundry. Potentially contaminated clothing should be washed immediately to prevent the spread of the virus.

The ministry also noted that although we are currently in the norovirus season, the number of cases is similar to recent years.