Norovirus spreads quickly - the 3 easiest ways to protect you
A doctor shares his advice to avoid this extremely unpleasant virus.
Few things are worse than waking up in the middle of the night with the feeling that something is wrong, then suddenly achieving what you jump from the bed and Race to the bathroom To hang your head on the toilet. We have all been there - and lately, many of us feel it again as Norovirus cases increase in the USA.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) follow the cases of this very contagious virus, and a quick glance on Their line graphic The illustration of the current tip in cases may be sufficient to make you slightly ill in your stomach, even if you are entirely healthy at the moment.
"While people are starting to meet more frequently, it is not totally surprising that we are experiencing an increase in infections," said Ali Alhassani , MD, the Head of the clinic at Summer Health . Him and Manual chip , PHD, Food security advisor at Gojo Industries , gave Better life The bottom on the virus and share their best advice to stay well. Read the rest to find out how you can (hope) get around the "intestinal flu" this season.
Read this then: Never leave the bathroom stand before doing this, doctors warn .
Norovirus is not really the flu.
"Norovirus is an annoying virus that causes serious vomiting and diarrhea. In fact, it is one of the most common causes of gastroenteritis in the world," explains Manuel. "Although it is not linked to the flu virus, the virus is sometimes called" gastric flu ".
Alhassani notes that norovirus is "very contagious" and that vomiting, diarrhea and cramps which are characteristics of the condition are due to "the inflammation of the stomach and the intestines". He explains that although norovirus is the most common between November and March, it can spread at any time of the year and is contracted mainly in three ways: "Consuming foods or drinks contaminated by the virus, affecting surfaces Who have the virus on it and then touch your fingers to your mouth and have direct contact with someone infected with norovirus. "
Read this then: 90% of flu hospitalizations are linked to these 4 underlying conditions, says the CDC .
It is essential to practice a good "hand hygiene".
Remember when we wash all the hands 37 times a day (or more!) At the top of the cochem? Manuel and Alhassani say that this is not the time to relax our hand washing routine. "Norovirus cases were historically weak during the first two years of the COVVI-19 pandemic," explains Manuel, who speculates that "we can see increased cases due to a combination of reduced immunity, as well as people abandoning their pandemic precautions ".
"The best way to protect yourself from norovirus is to practice good hand hygiene," resonates Alhassani.
Need a refreshment on the good hand washing practice? The CDC says we should all be wash one's hands Before, during and after having food, before and after eating, after using the bathroom or changed a layer, after removing the pups our pets. They also say to rub with soap and water for 20 seconds (yes, this is the length of the song "Happy Birthday" sung with twice), foam the backs of your hands, under your nails and Between your fingers, and to rinse and dry your hands carefully.
Norovirus can live on surfaces for a long time.
Our hands are not the only things we need to stay clean to stay healthy. "The virus can survive surfaces for weeks," explains Manuel Better life . This means that if you or a person who lives with you norovirus, you will have to be very rigorous about cleaning for a while, even after recovering.
"If someone in your household is infected, it is important to disinfect the shared surfaces that could be contaminated by the virus in order to prevent them from spreading further," said Alhassani.
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Isolation of patients can help stop the spread.
Although he can be tempting to console your beloved sick with a composure, or at least a tender tape on the head, Alhassani and Manuel say that you better keep your distance. "The infectious dose is extremely low and the virus spreads incredibly quickly," warns Manuel. He explains that the places where people gather, such as "schools, long -term care establishments and restaurants are particularly at risk of outbreaks". AE0FCC31AE342FD3A1346EBB1F342FCB
"Practice good hand hygiene, regularly clean and disinfect surfaces, and keep sick people away from each other are all the best practices to reduce the risk of norovirus", he reiterates, noting that "we have seen a Relaxation of these practices in recent months, perhaps because of "pandemic fatigue". "
