How to prevent the spread of the nasty norovirus: start by washing your hands
OMAHA, Neb. (Nebraska) — Across the country, stomach bug cases have become a distant memory of social distancing.
A highly contagious virus was the main factor and aborted.
CHI Health family physician Dr. Diva Wilson shared with the media what people need to know about the virus via Zoom on Wednesday.
Symptoms: primarily vomiting and diarrhea. Some will have low-grade fever or body aches.
“Despite the fact that this is a self-limiting infection… it can lead to potentially dangerous symptoms if not detected early or treated properly,” Wilson said.
This is because the symptoms can easily lead to dehydration.
The symptoms, however, don’t last long, Wilson said. It usually lasts no more than three days. But they come suddenly. In particularly vulnerable people, such as the elderly, infants, or immunocompromised people, symptoms may last longer.
Wilson said that this is due to the “fecal-oral route” but more simply sums it up as “My advice to everyone, but especially to those traveling or in close proximity … people in close contact, be sure to wash your hands.” ,” She said.
Alcohol-based hand sanitizer doesn’t kill norovirus, Wilson said, but soap and water do. Bleach and chlorine are used to disinfect surfaces.
Someone who is trying to avoid dehydration but is not holding onto fluids, or who has persistent fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, should see a doctor, Wilson said.
Douglas County Case Numbers
Norovirus cases jumped from 206 in 2021 to 306 in 2022, Douglas County Health Department told 3 News Now.
But since not everyone gets tested or sees a doctor, this is underreported. The department is “looking for ways to monitor this more closely,” a spokesman said.
This year, DCHD reports that there are 74 known cases so far. One third of these are children and infants four years of age and younger.
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