One minute you’re feeling on top of the world, and then, just a couple of hours later, you are lying in bed, clinging to life. Or so it could appear. Few things can get you down like norovirus. It comes on quickly and often leaves little time to get home to the comfort of a couch or a protected bathroom before the worst happens.
When you’ve ever been exposed to norovirus, you have probably asked yourself some or all of those questions: How long will it last? How do I feel higher? Could you get me some ginger ale and brine, please?
We’ll unravel this annoying bug as we discuss where norovirus comes from, what symptoms to look out for, and treat it. We’ll also inform you a very powerful thing about this nasty microbe: avoid it.
What exactly is norovirus?
Norovirus is an especially contagious virus that’s the essential reason for gastroenteritis, which is the overall term for inflammation of the digestive tract and intestines.
Norovirus can appear at any time of the 12 months, but is usually often called the “winter vomiting bug” because it might be common during cold and flu season. For the correct name, we are able to thank Norwalk, Ohio, where the 1968 outbreak put the virus on the map. It was originally called the “Norfolk agent”, but through the years it has turn out to be simply often called norovirus.
Norovirus symptoms
Norovirus symptoms often begin 1-2 days after ingesting the virus, but some people may notice symptoms as early as 12 hours after exposure.
Essentially the most common symptoms of norovirus include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Stomachache
Less common symptoms of norovirus include:
- A slight fever
- Sore limbs
- Headache
Norovirus symptoms and food poisoning
It may be difficult to tell apart the symptoms of norovirus from those of other varieties of food poisoning. But the perfect guide is how quickly symptoms appear after exposure and how long they last.
Basically, the onset of other varieties of food poisoning is way faster and proceeds more quickly. Many individuals see relief from symptoms in hours reasonably than days.
Norovirus symptoms vs flu symptoms
Basically, probably the most common norovirus symptoms and flu symptoms are very different. But there could also be some similarities for some people.
Symptoms of each diseases can come on in a short time and each may cause body aches and headaches. But vomiting and diarrhea are hallmarks of norovirus. They do not often occur with the flu, although children with the flu can sometimes experience them.
Also, the length of the disease varies greatly. Typically, flu symptoms can last 5-7 days, sometimes even longer. As we mentioned above, norovirus symptoms often go away in about 48 hours. As well as, the flu causes a cough with fatigue, weakness and some congestion that may last for weeks. These symptoms don’t occur with norovirus.
Who’s most in danger for severe norovirus symptoms?
Norovirus is an equal opportunity virus – it should infect everyone. But not everyone can rebound as easily as the common healthy adult. Dehydration is the best risk for youngsters, individuals with diabetes and the elderly. Left unchecked, dehydration may cause serious complications. Symptoms of dehydration to look at out for include:
- Cry without tears (infants and toddlers)
- Dark circles under eyes
- Dark urine
- Vertigo
- Tiredness
Causes of norovirus and the way it spreads
Norovirus spreads from individual to individual, but how exactly does norovirus spread? Noroviruses are present in the feces (poop) or vomit of infected people. Thus, the bedbug is most frequently transmitted to surfaces and food by the hands of infected individuals who haven’t properly washed their hands after using the lavatory.
This implies you may get norovirus by:
- Eating or drinking food contaminated with the virus.
- Eating uncooked shellfish from polluted waters.
- Touching contaminated surfaces or objects and then touching your mouth or eating without washing your hands thoroughly first.
Is norovirus an airborne disease?
Technically not. As we mentioned earlier, norovirus is mostly transmitted to food, water or surfaces through the hands of an infected one who has not washed them thoroughly enough. That said, it might even be brought on by tiny particles from vomit landing on surfaces or entering an individual’s mouth.
There may be technically no such thing as “stomach flu”, nevertheless it has turn out to be a generic term used to explain stomach problems resembling diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and nausea. And it’s true that such symptoms are sometimes brought on by norovirus.
But calling it “the flu” is fallacious. Influenza is brief for influenza, which is a respiratory illness brought on by a totally different virus. The flu rarely causes vomiting and diarrhea, which we are going to speak about below.
Is there a norovirus vaccine?
Unlike the flu, there isn’t any vaccine for norovirus. And it can’t be treated with antibiotics since it is a virus. But it surely’s comforting to know that you just won’t get it again for some time. When you’ve had norovirus, your body has built up immunity to that strain. You are clean, not less than for an additional 12 months. As with colds and flu, norovirus adapts and often changes from 12 months to 12 months. When this happens, unfortunately, you aren’t any longer resistant to it.
Can we predict how severe norovirus outbreaks can be every year?
There isn’t a solution to know if a specific 12 months can be particularly bad for norovirus. One of the best precaution is to follow common sense health and hygiene practices. Wash your hands, get enough sleep and drink loads of water.
How long does norovirus live?
It could not appear to be it the primary time, but norovirus won’t make you sick ceaselessly. The one good thing that will be said about it’s that it passes quickly. Symptoms appear quite quickly, but they subside just as quickly. Norovirus symptoms last a median of 48 hours, so take it as easy as possible and defeat norovirus knowing it won’t last long.
One of the best norovirus treatment options
Treat norovirus the identical way you treat any stomach disease. Be superb to yourself and try the next:
- Drink loads of fluids While you could not wish to drink anything, it is vital to remain as hydrated as possible if you happen to’re vomiting or have diarrhea. Sports drinks and other electrolyte replacements work great.
- stay at home – When you still have diarrhea and vomiting, stay home until your symptoms subside. If possible, also consider isolating yourself from other members of your household. For instance, use a separate bathroom to limit the spread. This can not only make it easier to rest and feel more comfortable, but in addition reduce the danger of spreading the disease to others.
- In reality, you may still transmit the virus days after it’s over, so watch out whenever you return to work or school.
- Introduce food slowly – Once symptoms begin to enhance, a fantastic solution to start reintroducing food is to follow the BRAT food plan (bananas, rice, applesauce and toast), which is light on the stomach.
When you are caring for somebody with norovirus, be very careful about disinfecting your surroundings and washing your hands often. Watch children with norovirus rigorously – they’ll turn out to be dehydrated more quickly than adults.
How one can prevent norovirus
As they are saying, prevention is the perfect medicine. So, keep the next steps in mind to make it easier to avoid norovirus.
1. Wash your hands often and thoroughly
One of the best solution to prevent norovirus is easy: wash your hands often with warm soapy water for not less than 20 seconds – especially after using the lavatory and before preparing food. Interestingly, hand sanitizer has been shown to be less effective against norovirus, so all the time go for traditional hand washing if possible.
2. Follow best practices for protected food handling and preparation
Since norovirus may come from food contaminated with the virus, protected food handling methods should all the time be used:
- Wash fruits and vegetables before preparing or eating them
- Cook oysters which can be liable to water contamination and other shellfish thoroughly
- Keep surfaces clean and disinfected
- Avoid cross-contamination
- Don’t touch your face when serving food
- If there may be a likelihood that the food has come into contact with norovirus, throw it away
- Don’t cook or serve food if you happen to are sick
3. Usually disinfect bathrooms and surfaces
One in every of the explanations norovirus is so contagious is that it’s hard to kill. The virus can survive on surfaces for as much as a month. Additionally it is less prone to heat than other viruses. Nonetheless, norovirus has its weak point – bleach. Bleach kills norovirus.
When cleansing and disinfecting your property from noroviruses, it is vital to take precautions. The next suggestions are beneficial:
- Use rubber gloves, even though it may appear to be overkill – Noroviruses love to maneuver from hand to mouth, so wear rubber or disposable gloves if you find yourself in a norovirus-prone area.
- Use an EPA-approved bleach or disinfectant – Use 5-25 tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water.
- Wash the dishes well – Norovirus can survive in conditions as hot as 145 degrees Fahrenheit. It tolerates higher temperatures than other viruses, so increase the temperature when cleansing. For a lot of, it should be so simple as setting the dishwasher to “sanitize” which heats as much as 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Wash and disinfect the laundry – Use the longest and hottest cycle for each washing and drying. Your washer and dryer heat as much as the magic variety of 150 degrees Fahrenheit, so norovirus won’t get through your laundry.
- When doubtful, wash your hands “Again, we cannot stress enough the importance of proper, regular hand washing to avoid norovirus and other diseases.
4. Know the norovirus hotspots
Because of how quickly norovirus spreads and how tenacious the virus is, some places are more in danger than others. The areas most probably to be affected include:
- Hospitals/care facilities
- Camps
- Restaurants
- schools
- Cruise ships
- Planes
Norovirus on vacation
A part of the fun of traveling is attending to know recent cultures and trying recent cuisines. You possibly can have baklava and eat it too if you happen to’re wary of the norovirus. Your probabilities of contracting norovirus increase when traveling due to the tight spaces you travel in often (think: cruise ships and airplanes).
Exposure to varied foods and cooking methods may cause norovirus. Stay protected by following the following tips:
- Don’t drink tap water – Be sure that the water you drink is bottled. When you like coffee or tea, ensure that the faucet water boils before preparing.
- Take it properly – Ice can contain norovirus, so order drinks without.
- Bring your individual soap “Soap dispensers should not standard in bathrooms world wide, and you may’t rely readily available sanitizers for norovirus.
- Try recent foods, but don’t take risks – Don’t eat raw or undercooked shellfish and ensure that fruits and vegetables are washed.
The danger of contracting a nasty stomach disease like norovirus shouldn’t stop you from happening vacation or seeing the world. Be a little bit more careful and try to be superb.
Remember, assistance is here if and whenever you need it
Norovirus, while unpleasant, often works inside 48 hours. Take the self-care steps listed above, and if you happen to need more advice, call your carer’s nurse helpline. For instance, HealthPartners patients and members of an insurance plan can call our CareLine at 800-551-0859 or 952-993-4665.