Norovirus cases in the US have more than doubled compared to last season’s peak. The highly contagious virus causes acute gastroenteritis, leading to symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. It typically spreads through direct contact, contaminated food, or surfaces. The CDC advises thorough hand washing and sanitation over using hand sanitizers, which are ineffective against norovirus.
Cases of Norovirus, also known as the ‘stomach flu’ or the ‘stomach bug’ are on the rise in the US. The cases have reached more than double compared to last season’s peak, according to figures published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Monday.
The highly contagious virus causes acute gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach or intestines, resulting in diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. About 2,500 norovirus outbreaks are reported every year, with most of them occurring between November and April, CDC says.
This year, the numbers have exceeded the numbers that we’ve seen recently and in the years before the pandemic.
Since norovirus is highly contagious, it is important to understand, how it spreads, and how to prevent it.
How does norovirus spread?
Norovirus spreads quickly and in different ways, according to the CDC.
- Direct contact with someone infected with norovirus. For instance, caring for them, sharing food or eating utensils, eating food handled by them.
- Consuming food or drinks contaminated with norovirus.
- Touching contaminated objects or surfaces.
People who feel better after the infection can spread the norovirus for 2 weeks or more.
Prevention
As norovirus is highly contagious, taking necessary steps to protect yourself and others is important.
- Wash your hands often.
- Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly.
- Cook shellfish well.
- Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces.
- Wash laundry in hot water.
- Stay home when sick for 2 days (48 hours) after symptoms stop.
Does hand sanitizer work against norovirus?
Norovirus is highly contagious and spreads through the stool or vomit of infected individuals
“Hand sanitizer does not work well against norovirus. You can use hand sanitizers in addition to hand washing, but hand sanitizer is not a substitute for handwashing, which is best,” says the CDC.
Though hand sanitizer can kill many other pathogens, it is not effective against norovirus, due to its firm shell. Other viruses often have a fat-based outer layer called an envelope, which can be easily broken down by alcohol-based hand sanitizers. However, norovirus does not have this envelope. Instead, it has a hard, protein-based outer shell known as a capsid, making it resistant to alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
So, how to protect yourself from the norovirus
Wash your hands well with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- After using the toilet or changing diapers.
- Before eating, preparing, or handling food.
- Before giving yourself or someone else medicine.
I’m Manas Ranjan Sahoo: Founder of “Webtirety Software”. I’m a Full-time Software Professional and an aspiring entrepreneur, dedicated to growing this platform as large as possible. I love to Write Blogs on Software, Mobile applications, Web Technology, eCommerce, SEO, and about My experience with Life.
