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Norovirus instances are on the rise within the U.S. particularly within the Northeast, the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention stated.
Norovirus, typically known as a “abdomen flu” or “stomach bug“, is a standard virus that is extremely contagious and spreads by way of tiny particles of feces or vomit and leads to gastrointestinal signs. Many alternative noroviruses could cause sickness, the CDC stated.
“Norovirus is a really contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Anybody can get contaminated and sick with norovirus,” the CDC explains.
In line with the latest CDC data, greater than 12% of assessments for the virus got here again constructive within the week ending on Feb. 17. The week earlier than that a bit of greater than 11.5% of assessments got here again constructive.
The Northeast has seen the next fee of norovirus instances. In the course of the week ending on Feb. 24, greater than 16% of assessments got here again constructive, CDC information reveals. Positivity charges within the Northeast have been greater than 13% for the previous month.
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What are the signs of norovirus?
In line with the CDC, norovirus is the main reason behind vomiting and diarrhea, and foodborne sickness within the US.
The virus causes acute gastroenteritis, an irritation of the abdomen or intestines. The most typical symptoms are:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Abdomen ache
Much less widespread signs embrace:
The signs usually begin 12 to 48 hours after being uncovered to the virus, and most of the people will get higher inside 1 to three days. Nonetheless, they could nonetheless be capable of unfold the virus for a number of days after their restoration, the CDC stated.
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How is norovirus transmitted?
Anybody can fall unwell with norovirus. The virus nonetheless will not be associated to the influenza virus that causes the flu.
“Individuals of all ages can get contaminated and sick with norovirus, which spreads very simply and shortly,” the CDC stated.
Somebody can grow to be sick with the virus in the event that they by chance get tiny particles of feces or vomit of their mouth from somebody contaminated with the virus, the CDC stated. Somebody sick with norovirus may shed billions of microscopic norovirus particles, however it solely takes a number of particles to make somebody sick.
The CDC says somebody can get norovirus by:
- Having direct contact with somebody with norovirus, comparable to by caring for them, sharing meals or consuming utensils with them, or consuming meals dealt with by them.
- Consuming meals or ingesting liquids which might be contaminated with norovirus.
- Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus after which placing your unwashed fingers in your mouth.
How does norovirus unfold?
Norovirus can unfold by way of contaminated meals or water. When somebody with norovirus touches meals with their naked palms, or meals is positioned on a floor that has fecal or vomit particles on it, that would result in an infection. Moreover, the virus may unfold when tiny drops of vomit from an individual with norovirus spray by way of the air and land on the meals.
Moreover, meals that’s grown with contaminated water may additionally result in the unfold of norovirus. Water can grow to be contaminated from a septic tank leak, when somebody with norovirus vomits or defecates in water, or when water is not handled correctly with sufficient chlorine.
When is norovirus contagious?
The CDC says persons are most contagious when they’re displaying signs of a norovirus an infection. Contaminated people can be contagious within the preliminary days after they get better from an an infection, however may additionally stay contagious for greater than two weeks after they really feel higher.
Find out how to forestall the unfold of norovirus
The CDC recommends a number of issues to forestall getting sick or spreading the norovirus, together with:
- Washing your palms nicely with cleaning soap and water. The CDC added that hand sanitizer doesn’t work nicely towards norovirus.
- Cleansing and disinfecting surfaces with bleach
- Washing laundry in scorching water
- Don’t put together and deal with meals or look after others if you find yourself sick and for not less than 2 days (48 hours) after signs cease.
- Washing vegatables and fruits nicely.
- Cooking oysters and different shellfish completely to an inside temperature of not less than 145°F.
- Routinely clear and sanitize kitchen utensils, counters, and surfaces
Sarah Al-Arshani covers breaking and trending information for USA TODAY. Attain her at salarshani@gannett.com.
