What to Do if Exposed to the Stomach Flu

Sometimes it seems similar kids and germs become together like peanut butter and jelly. And once summer comes to an finish and a new school year begins, many parents brace for the inevitable: "breadbasket flu."

It'south important to note, however, that this gastrointestinal misery, which seemingly spreads like wildfire, has zippo to practise with the flu – the respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Kids or adults with breadbasket flu most likely take gastroenteritis, or inflammation of the lining of the intestine. Information technology tin be caused by a variety of microscopic bugs, but in about cases the culprit is norovirus.

In fact, norovirus is the well-nigh mutual crusade of acute gastroenteritis around the world. In the Us, it's responsible for about 20 1000000 cases of gastroenteritis each year. Nearly two 1000000 people seek help from their doctor for a norovirus infection annually and some 400,000 people (generally immature children) cease upward in the emergency room, co-ordinate to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Norovirus is highly contagious but there are some steps you tin can take to aid reduce your risk of infection, and – if y'all practise get sick – how to manage your symptoms.

In the The states, viral gastroenteritis is the second most mutual illness. In almost cases, it'due south caused by norovirus. Why is this infection then prevalent?

Norovirus is the nigh mutual crusade of acute gastroenteritis considering anyone can be affected – children and adults. Information technology's also very like shooting fish in a barrel for infected people to spread the virus to others. People tin can shed billions of particles of the virus, and it really only takes an extremely minor amount – as few as 18 viral particles – to make some other person sick.

How practise people become infected with norovirus?

This infection spreads through what's known equally fecal-oral manual. This means that the virus is shed after you have a bowel movement. Then, something equally simple as not washing your hands well enough can spread the virus to others, either directly or by touching and contaminating surfaces. People tin can besides get norovirus from exposure to contaminated foods, particularly leafy greens and fresh fruits also equally oysters and other shellfish. If someone with norovirus is throwing up, they could likewise spread the infection through tiny airborne droplets that contain viral particles.

Why does norovirus seem to be more prevalent in the fall and winter?

The prevailing theory, particularly in northern parts of the U.S., is that people tend to be in confined spaces more often during colder months. Existence indoors in more than crowded, shared spaces allows the virus to spread more easily.

Anyone tin get sick from norovirus, but are sure people at greater hazard for infection?

People who are immunocompromised are definitely at greater risk. This includes those with cancer, people who are HIV-positive and patients taking loftier-dose steroids or some other blazon of medication that weakens their immune system. But really anyone who's living or spending fourth dimension in a crowded, confined infinite, such as a dormitory, cruise ship, community center or childcare center, is more probable to be part of an outbreak.

If norovirus is so common and contagious, is in that location annihilation people tin can practice to help reduce their risk for infection?

The best mode to protect against norovirus is to wash your easily with soap and warm water for at least xx seconds. Make certain that y'all rinse off all fresh fruits and vegetables earlier yous eat them. If you're at all concerned nearly norovirus infection, make sure you're too cooking these foods thoroughly. Brand certain all shellfish you lot eat are cooked also because they can also transmit the virus due to how they're harvested and grown. Anyone with a norovirus infection should also not fix food for others until at least 48 hours after their symptoms resolve.

If someone in your household is sick, brand sure this person isn't in close contact with others and isn't sharing plates, cups or utensils. You should also make clean bathroom and kitchen countertops as well as other commonly touched objects, such equally doorknobs and light switches, with a bleach-based household cleaner, or other disinfectant that's approved by the EPA [Ecology Protection Bureau] for apply against norovirus. The virus tin can remain on surfaces for up to two weeks.

Does using manus sanitizer offer protection against norovirus?

In this day and historic period, we all love our hand sanitizer because it's so easy and convenient, but alcohol does non kill norovirus. And so, simply using hand sanitizer actually won't finish information technology from spreading. Norovirus can also withstand freezing temperatures, heat upward to 140 degrees Fahrenheit and disinfection with cleaners that but comprise chlorine. When it comes to preventing norovirus, cleaning with bleach is the recommendation.

If someone is infected with norovirus, what symptoms could they expect to develop?

People unremarkably develop symptoms ane to two days after they've been exposed. Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are the about predominant symptoms associated with this infection. Some people may too have a headache or feel generally achy. Norovirus is sometimes associated with a low-form fever of around 100.4 to 101 degrees just non e'er. People with norovirus may also have some stomach cramping and belly pain. If you're running to the bath several times a twenty-four hour period, you could imagine that your gut is working really hard.

How long do these symptoms typically last?

Norovirus symptoms usually last for nearly 48 to 72 hours. Those with a cold or some other viral illnesses commonly experience bad but then gradually kickoff to feel better over fourth dimension. People with norovirus, on the other hand, commonly have a pretty rapid recovery. They tend to be actually ill and so suddenly commencement feeling better. They might wake upwards in the morning and say, "Hey, okay. It'due south gone. I experience amend."

If someone is vomiting or having diarrhea, when does dehydration become a more serious concern?

Information technology'southward definitely important to be on the sentinel for signs of dehydration. It'due south probably why most people with norovirus end up in the emergency section or at their doctor'southward office. Norovirus tin forestall people from keeping food and fluids down. But if things keep coming out and people tin can't put anything back in, they're non able to furnish the fluid they lost.

Symptoms of dehydration include having a dry oral fissure or dry, shriveled skin. Little kids may seem to be crying simply no tears are coming out. When babies or toddlers are having half the number of wet diapers than they commonly take or fewer, we'll exist concerned near aridity – especially if they're also unusually sleepy or fussy. Older kids and adults tin can tell if they're getting dehydrated past checking the color of their urine. If it's a clear to a light harbinger yellow, that means you're probably still well-hydrated. Having dark yellow or an orangey or amber-colored urine is a sign that you're getting dehydrated. Other alarm signs of dehydration include listlessness, dizziness or lightheadedness.

How can y'all tell the difference between norovirus or another more serious issue that requires medical attention?

People should see their medico if there's claret in their vomit or in their stool. That is a more serious alert sign. It'south also of import to see your doctor if your symptoms last longer than i week or if you have a fever higher than 103 degrees. That'southward a little bit more concerning and could suggest that something else might be going on. People who feel similar they're dehydrated or have then much intestinal pain that they can't tolerate information technology definitely need to go see their doctor or go to the emergency room.

Is at that place a specific treatment or "cure" for norovirus?

No, unfortunately the infection only needs to run its grade. If you're dehydrated and you tin't keep anything down, y'all should talk to your dr.. You may benefit from medication to help you terminate throwing up, or yous may need some 4 fluids. People with diarrhea may exist tempted to take some over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medicine, but you definitely want to consult your doctor beginning. If the infection is anything more than serious than the norovirus, using a medication to decrease the number of times you lot're using the bathroom could actually make things worse, particularly if you have a bacterial infection.

So, are at that place any means people suffering from norovirus can ease their gastrointestinal distress?

Yes, definitely. The most important thing is to keep yourself well-hydrated. Staying hydrated is very important for anyone with norovirus. Endeavour taking small sips of broth or sports drinks – not big gulps. Yous don't take to drink a full drinking glass at a fourth dimension. Take a couple of sips and then 30 minutes later take another couple of sips. That's actually all that's needed. You want to avoid sodas and fruit juices with high sugar content, which can actually brand your diarrhea and nausea worse. If yous have young children, it's a expert thought to go on Pedialyte or another oral hydration solution on hand.

If y'all practice experience like yous're getting hungry, the one-time recommendation was to stick to bland foods, like bananas, rice, absurdity, toast. But the evidence behind that advice is not great. You should eat whatever sounds practiced to yous that you lot retrieve your tummy can tolerate.

When is it safe for kids or adults who've recovered from a norovirus infection to return to school or work?

Even later your symptoms improve, you continue to shed the virus and can infect others. Then, one time you start feeling better and your symptoms begin to resolve, it's important to stay dwelling and non render to school or work for some other 48 to 72 hours.

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Source: https://hcavirginia.com/blog/entry/how-to-avoid-the-highly-contagious-stomach-flu