Norovirus symptoms hit hard and fast as cases surge in winter

Norovirus has been making its rounds again during the winter season, with cases of the uber-contagious stomach bug surging every winter. The highly contagious virus causes vomiting and diarrhea, sometimes at the same time, and people tend to feel better within one to three days. Symptoms can hit hard and fast, and people begin to show symptoms 12 to 48 hours after they’re exposed.

The most common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach cramps. Less common symptoms include headache, fever or chills, and body or muscle aches. A person who is sick will typically experience the symptoms suddenly, and others may be asymptomatic and show no symptoms at all but can still be contagious and pass the virus to others.

It takes fewer than 100 norovirus particles to make someone sick, and people with the virus can shed billions of viral particles in their vomit and feces. Norovirus spreads very easily between people through direct contact with someone who is infected, eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated liquids, or touching contaminated objects and surfaces and then putting unwashed fingers in the mouth. The most common cause is contaminated food and water, and outbreaks occur throughout the year but are most common from November to April.

There is no specific medication to treat norovirus, and there are no antivirals to treat it. The main concern is dehydration, making it important to take small sips of fluids and drink plenty of liquids. Drinks that contain electrolytes, like sports drinks, may be a good option, and diluted sodas or juices can help compensate for a lack of calories. If food is tolerated, doctors recommend eating something bland, including the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce and toast.

People with vomiting and diarrhea that won’t stop, severe weakness, or older adults should seek medical attention. Doctors will likely want to give IV fluids and an antiemetic medication to help stop the vomiting. Children younger than 5, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe infections.

To reduce the risk of spreading the virus, people should wash hands often and well with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, because hand sanitizers are not effective against norovirus. People who are sick should stay home for 48 hours after symptoms stop, clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces when possible, wash laundry in hot water, and thoroughly cook shellfish and wash produce. People can still pass on norovirus for two weeks or more after being infected, and when people vomit, they can create an aerosol of the virus that can infect someone else.