Norovirus Spreads Fast; Hits the Northeast the Worst

Norovirus: What You Need to Know About the Winter 'Stomach Bug'

Have you heard about the sickness that's been causing a lot of tummies to feel upset lately? It's called Norovirus, and it's making a lot of people in the Northeast United States feel really unwell with vomiting and diarrhea. The folks who know a lot about diseases, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have noticed that more people are getting sick from it.

Food is usually how this super easy-to-catch virus gets around. Even though it's not unusual to see more norovirus during cold times like winter, the Northeast has been having a tougher time than usual. Over the past three weeks, about 13.7 out of every 100 tests for the virus have come back positive. Since December 2023, it's been over 10 out of every 100. But it's not just the Northeast; other parts of the U.S. have more people getting sick, too, just not quite as many.

So, What Exactly is Norovirus?

Norovirus is a tiny germ that can make almost 21 million people in America feel really sick every year. It's the top reason adults get what's known as gastroenteritis, a fancy word for when your stomach and intestines get inflamed.

The norovirus kind of looks like a tiny blue ball, and it's super good at making us humans sick because that's the only thing it can infect. It sticks to our gut, goes inside the cells there, makes copies of itself, and then heads off to meet more cells. It's a tough little virus that can handle all sorts of temperatures and environments. You might find it anywhere people are close together, like cruise ships or airplanes, even if the trip isn't long.

How Does Norovirus Spread?

Well, it's a bit icky, but norovirus usually travels from one person to another through the "fecal-oral route." That means if microscopic amounts of poop (as few as 100 tiny virus particles) somehow get into someone's mouth (like through food or water), that person can get sick. That’s why it's really important for people who make our food to have clean hands.

Symptoms and Risks

If someone eats or drinks something with the virus on it, they'll start to feel sick - usually in about a day or two. They might throw up, get diarrhea, have a stomachache, and sometimes a low fever and a headache. Thankfully, most folks get better in a couple of days without having to go to the hospital.

But it's really important to keep an eye on certain people, like little kids, older folks, and those whose bodies have a harder time fighting off germs. They can get very dehydrated and might even need to go to the hospital.

Diagnosing and Treating Norovirus

How do doctors know someone has norovirus? They look at their symptoms, especially if they vomit a lot, don't have much fever, and only feel sick for a short time. If there's a known outbreak, they might test people’s poop or vomit to be sure.

There isn't a special medicine for norovirus. Most people just need to drink lots of fluids to stay hydrated. But they have to be careful about what they drink because their bodies can lose important stuff called electrolytes.

Preventing Norovirus

No one wants to get sick, right? Staying away from norovirus means always washing your hands really well. Certain foods, like oysters, clams, and mussels, can be risky if they've been in dirty water. Cooking them all the way through is the best way to make sure they're safe to eat.

That's the scoop on norovirus, everyone. Stay healthy, wash your hands, and take care of each other, especially when someone's not feeling well. And remember, it's always okay to ask a grown-up for help if you're feeling sick or have questions about staying healthy!