“Stomach
bug” circulating
SPRINGFIELD – No doubt you probably know
of someone who has been sick with a “stomach bug” this year, typically caused
by norovirus. Norovirus causes vomiting and diarrhea and is very
contagious. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), more than 80 percent of norovirus outbreaks occur from November to April.
The CDC estimates that more than 20 million people, or about one in every 15
Americans, are infected with norovirus.
“Norovirus
is the most common cause of stomach illness in the country,” said Illinois
Department of Public Health Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck. “However, the
easiest way to avoid becoming ill is to wash your hands. Viruses can
contaminate surfaces and objects touched by someone who is ill. If your
hand then comes in contact with your mouth, chances are you will end up
becoming ill.”
Norovirus can spread quickly from person to person in crowded places like schools, long-term care facilities and daycare centers. A person who is ill and prepares or serves catered meals or food in a restaurant can contaminate food, causing others to become ill.
Symptoms
of norovirus infection usually include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach
cramping. Other, less common symptoms may include low-grade fever,
chills, headache, muscle aches and general sense of fatigue. Norovirus
illness is usually not serious and most people are better in a day or
two. But, norovirus illness can be serious in young children, the elderly
and people with other health conditions. According to the CDC, norovirus
causes more than 70,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths in the U.S. each
year.
Tips
for avoiding norovirus:
·
Frequently
wash your hands, especially after toileting and before eating or preparing
food.
·
Thoroughly
clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately using a bleach-based
cleaner. Or use one part bleach to nine parts water (1:10 dilution).
·
Increase
the frequency of cleaning high touch surfaces such as door knobs.
·
Do
not work as a food handler while you are ill with diarrhea or vomiting.
For
more information on norovirus, log onto www.idph.state.il.us/public/hb/hbnorovirus.htm.
###
Melaney
Arnold
Illinois
Department of Public Health
Communications
Manager
(217)
558-0500
Facebook: www.facebook.com/IDPH.Illinois
Twitter: www.twitter.com/IDPH
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