A contagious stomach virus circulating in the Northeast has been steadily increasing since November and has made its way into New Jersey.
Cases of norovirus, also known as gastroenteritis or gastroenteritis, are occurring across the country, but the northeast is the most affected, with the highest positivity rate since early 2024. CDC.
Earlier this month, Irving Elementary School in Middlesex County was closed for a day for deep cleaning due to a “gastroenteritis,” the school district announced on its website.
South Jersey may also be seeing an increase in virus cases, as doctors at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia are seeing multiple patients with the virus and cases have also been confirmed in Camden County. ABC reported.
The current norovirus outbreak appears to be less severe than any previous outbreaks, Dr. Christopher Freer said. RWJ Barnabas Healthhospitalist and emergency physician.
“We have outbreaks all the time, so it’s not that bad that I get a call or that the staffing and operations of the emergency department change,” Dr. Freer said. “So I would say we’re in pretty good shape, no different than any other time of the year,” he added.
What is norovirus?
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that irritates the stomach and intestines.
Although it is commonly called gastroenteritis or gastroenteritis, norovirus is not a parasite and is not related to respiratory influenza.
The virus is common, causing nearly 20 million cases of vomiting and diarrhea and more than 100,000 hospitalizations in the U.S. each year, according to . National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.
Norovirus infections tend to peak during the cold season.
Norovirus 2024: How does it spread?
Illness often begins suddenly. You will feel sick, and symptoms usually last several days. According to the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, people can remain infectious for two weeks or more even after symptoms subside.
Freer said norovirus can be transmitted primarily through fingers. Once the virus gets on our hands, it can enter our bodies when we touch our mouths, eyes, or anything we put in our mouths, such as food or straws.
Contact with infected people, contaminated food or water, or touching contaminated surfaces increases the risk of infection. Freer said norovirus can also be transmitted by sharing drinks or kissing, but wearing a mask is not mandatory.
The virus usually originates from marine animals, so eating raw seafood should be avoided to prevent infection, Freer said. Norovirus also lives in feces, so washing your hands after using the toilet or changing diapers is important to prevent infection.
The most common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach cramps.
How to prevent norovirus
To prevent norovirus infections, the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases recommends the following:
- Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently, especially when using the toilet, changing diapers, eating, or handling food.
- Washing fruits and vegetables.
- Cook shellfish thoroughly.
- Cleaning and disinfecting after someone vomits.
- If a person with diarrhea uses the bathroom, clean and disinfect it.
Norovirus is transmitted through saliva. Therefore, kissing or sharing drinks can lead to the transmission of norovirus, Freer said.
Still, unlike airborne viruses, norovirus is not commonly transmitted through the tiny saliva droplets we exhale when we talk. Therefore, wearing a mask is not considered a preventive measure, Dr. Freer said.
What is the treatment for gastroenteritis?
Dr. Freer of RWJBarnabas Health recommends that adults drink four to six 12-ounce cups of water. It also recommends mixing water with Gatorade or other types of drinks that are high in electrolytes.
For pediatric patients, Dr. Freer recommends giving children 2 ounces of water regularly throughout the day, as giving more than 2 ounces at a time can induce vomiting.
Salt intake also helps with recovery. Dr. Freer recommends eating salty and sodium-rich crackers.
He emphasized that it is very important to monitor the amount of fluid a patient is expelling through vomiting or diarrhea compared to the amount of fluid the patient is drinking. If you are expelling more fluid than you are taking in and you are unable to drink water without vomiting, you may be severely dehydrated and should see a doctor.
Is there a vaccine for norovirus?
There is currently no approved vaccine for norovirus. However, recent research trials have shown promise.
recently, Bakartis a biotechnology company testing an oral drug to prevent norovirus. Studies on breastfeeding mothers Although carried out in November, the drug has not yet passed all tests.
How do you test for norovirus?
Norovirus infections are usually diagnosed based on symptoms. Nevertheless, infection can be identified through stool sample testing.
Doctors may recommend norovirus testing for people with complications.
Can norovirus survive for even a week?
Symptoms of norovirus usually last one to three days. Even if your symptoms subside, you may remain contagious for two weeks or more.
