Prevalent cause of infections across various regions: Norovirus

Prevalent cause of infections across various regions: Norovirus

In the midst of the winter season, it's crucial to be aware of Norovirus, a highly contagious virus that often causes stomach upset. To help you navigate this health concern, here are some essential facts and hygiene practices to keep in mind.

When infected with Norovirus, it's important to replenish fluids lost through vomiting and diarrhea. Water, teas, and clear soups are recommended for rehydration. However, it's best to avoid replenishing in large amounts at once to prevent overloading the body.

Small children and elderly people are at risk of hospitalization due to critical fluid loss during Norovirus infection. Symptoms such as a very dry and rough tongue, severe headaches, and drowsiness can be warning signs of critical fluid loss. In such cases, electrolyte solutions from the pharmacy or the WHO solution can help replenish lost minerals.

Hygiene is key in preventing others from getting infected, especially after vomiting or diarrhea. Frequent handwashing with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the toilet, changing diapers, before eating, preparing, or handling food, and after contact with potentially contaminated surfaces or sick individuals, is vital. Hand sanitizer is not effective against norovirus and should not replace handwashing.

Avoiding close contact with infected individuals, including not sharing plates, cups, utensils, or other personal items with anyone who is sick, is also advisable. Cleaning and disinfecting contaminated surfaces immediately after someone vomits or has diarrhea using bleach-based household cleaners or EPA-registered disinfectants proven effective against norovirus is crucial.

Wearing disposable gloves when cleaning vomit or diarrhea and disposing of cleaning materials in sealed plastic bags to prevent virus spread is another important practice. Proper food handling, thorough cooking of foods, especially shellfish, washing fruits and vegetables properly, and avoiding cross-contamination between raw meats and produce should be followed.

Infected persons should refrain from preparing food for others until at least 48 hours after symptoms have resolved. Laundry hygiene, washing clothes, bedding, and towels used by sick individuals thoroughly to remove virus particles, is also essential. Maintaining separation of sick individuals from others in the household can also help reduce person-to-person transmission.

Norovirus can survive on surfaces for up to two weeks and is resistant to many common disinfectants, making bleach-based cleaning critical. Viruses can still be excreted in the stool for up to two weeks, especially in immunocompromised individuals.

It's best to have a disinfectant that works against viruses in the cleaning cabinet. After 48 hours, symptoms usually subside. However, it's important to note that cola can be consumed in moderation, but not as the primary source of fluids. Avoiding cloudy apple juice is advised due to its slight laxative effect.

Oatmeal, zwieback, and toast are recommended as initial foods after recovery from Norovirus, as they are easy on the stomach. Ideally, the sick person should clean the toilet after use, using a mouthguard to protect against infectious aerosols.

By adhering to these hygiene and cleaning practices, we can effectively reduce norovirus transmission risk in shared living environments. Stay healthy and hygienic this season!

[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Norovirus: Causes. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/about-norovirus/causes.html [2] Health Canada. (2021). Norovirus: Prevention and control. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/norovirus-prevention-control.html [3] World Health Organization. (2021). Norovirus: Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/norovirus-prevention [4] Food and Drug Administration. (2021). Norovirus: Food Safety. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/food/foodborneillnesscontaminants/norovirus/ucm080562.htm

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6. Replacing electrolytes lost through diarrhea and vomiting is crucial for people suffering from Norovirus, and electrolyte solutions from pharmacies or the WHO solution can help.
7. Adequate hydration is essential when dealing with Norovirus, as drinking water, teas, and clear soups can help replenish fluids, but doing so in small amounts can prevent overloading the body.
8. When infected with Norovirus, it's important to avoid close contact with others and to clean surfaces immediately after someone vomits or has diarrhea, using bleach-based household cleaners or EPA-registered disinfectants to kill the virus.

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