Cases of norovirus have been reported in the Charlotte area. Here’s what you should know about the virus:
Norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the United States. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nurovirus causes 19-21 million illnesses and contributes to 56,000-71,000 hospitalizations and 570-800 deaths each year. Norovirus is also the most common cause of foodborne-disease outbreaks in the United States.
How it’s transmitted:
Norovirus is very contagious. You can get become infected by eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus, touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus then putting your fingers in your mouth, or having contact with someone who is infected with norovirus (for example, caring for or sharing food or eating utensils with someone with norovirus illness).
Symptoms:
The virus causes your stomach or intestines or both to get inflamed (acute gastroenteritis).
The most common symptoms—
diarrhea
throwing up
nausea
stomach pain
Other symptoms—
fever
headache
body aches
Treatment:
There is no specific medicine to treat people with norovirus illness. Norovirus infection cannot be treated with antibiotics because it is a viral (not a bacterial) infection. If you have norovirus illness, you should drink plenty of liquids to help prevent dehydration.
Prevention:
The best way to help prevent norovirus is to practice general cleanliness. Wash your hands carefully and disinfect any contaminated surfaces.
You should not prepare food for others or provide healthcare while you are sick and for at least 2 days after symptoms stop. This also applies to sick workers in settings such as schools and daycares where they may expose people to norovirus.
