Stomach Flu Outbreaks Trigger Public Health Warning


Be mindful if you think you have what we commonly call the “stomach flu,” with symptoms including diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain, fever, headache, and body aches. Norovirus, which according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is colloquially called stomach flu, is on the rise. According to the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services, there were 91 outbreaks of norovirus throughout the country the first week of December, which was a 32 percent increase over the previous week.

The local public health agency issued an advisory tonight urging the public to do four things to prevent and stop the spread of the virus:

1. Wash your hands well and often with soap and water. Hand sanitizer is NOT sufficient against norovirus;

2. Carefully wash fruits and vegetables well, and cook shellfish thoroughly;

3. Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces;

4. If sick, stay home for 2 days after symptoms stop.

 

Every public health lab and some clinical labs have the ability to test and confirm norovirus contraction, according to the CDC’s website, which also says there is no known treatment for the illness. Sickness typically lasts 1 to 3 days, but the sick person can spread the virus to others up to two weeks after he or she feels better. “However, children younger than 5 years old, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe symptoms,” the DPHSS advisory states.

The virus is highly contagious, spreading through direct contact with an infected person. You can also get sick from the virus by ingesting contaminated food or liquids, or touching contaminated objects.

 

“Norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea, and foodborne illness in the United States,” according to the CDC.

Dehydration is a concern. According to the CDC:

If you have norovirus illness, you can feel extremely ill, and vomit or have diarrhea many times a day. This can lead to dehydration (loss of body fluids), especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses. Symptoms of dehydration include:

  • Decreased urination
  • Dry mouth and throat
  • Feeling dizzy when standing up
  • Crying with few or no tears
  • Unusual sleepiness or fussiness
Antibiotic drugs will NOT help treat norovirus infections, as it is caused by a virus and antibiotics are used to fight bacterial infections. The CDC recommends that if you are exhibiting the symptoms of norovirus – and this is especially concerning for children, elderly people, and people with compromised immune systems – drink plenty of fluids (without caffeine or alcohol) to stay hydrated.
“Severe dehydration may require hospitalization for treatment with fluids given through your vein (intravenous or IV fluids),” the CDC website states. “If you think you or someone you are caring for is severely dehydrated, call your doctor.”

2 Comments

  • 1.Cruise ships are known to often have noravirus outbreaks so the timing of your article is interesting due to the recent cruise ship port visit that took place in both Guam and Saipan.
    2. Anyone wanting Chinese tourists to return might find it interesting to google the words “HMPV outbreak China”.

    Happy New Year

  • What was the result of investigation into the 30 something Japanese students that got sick?
    Crickets.

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