Should you’re like me and have children in daycare or college, you brace your self while you hear {that a} abdomen bug goes round.
Norovirus is without doubt one of the commonest abdomen bugs, and may wreak havoc in a family. That’s as a result of it’s extremely contagious, exhausting to kill, and we don’t construct long-term immunity in opposition to it. Which means even when your children get it in December, they will nonetheless get it once more in February.
Circumstances of norovirus are up this yr in comparison with different years. Actually, some sources say it’s the very best it’s been in 15 years. We don’t know if it is because individuals are testing extra or if it’s a true improve. Both means, now is an effective time to recollect what it’s, the way it spreads, and what to do to forestall it from infecting your entire home.
WHAT IS NOROVIRUS?
Norovirus is a extremely contagious virus that may trigger stomach-related signs, together with vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and cramps.
Signs sometimes begin inside 12-48 hours of publicity and final for about 24-72 hours. It might probably additionally trigger fever, physique aches and complications. As a result of children lose a number of fluids once they have it, you will need to look ahead to indicators of dehydration. Maintain an eye fixed out for dry mouth, not peeing as a lot, no tears when crying, and sunken eyes. People who find themselves younger, aged, or immunocompromised are essentially the most at-risk for issues and hospitalization.
WHY IS IT SO CONTAGIOUS?
1. It’s exhausting to kill
Norovirus is a non-enveloped virus and has a protecting protein shell. Which means its construction and different traits make it harder to kill. Most cleansing merchandise and alcohol-based hand sanitizers won’t kill the virus. As a result of hand sanitizer received’t kill it, children want to scrub their arms with cleaning soap and water for no less than 20 seconds earlier than they eat and after they go to the lavatory.
2. Youngsters don’t want loads of publicity to get contaminated
Not like different viral diseases, you don’t want publicity to loads of norovirus particles to get it. This implies it’s extremely contagious.
3. It lives on surfaces for a very long time
Norovirus can final on counter tops, doorknobs, and different surfaces, for 2 weeks!
4. Norovirus may also unfold by airborne particles
Totally different than different abdomen bugs, norovirus spreads by coughs and sneezes. The principle means children get sick from norovirus continues to be by contact with contaminated surfaces, person-to-person, or consuming meals or drinks with different folks’s germs.
HOW CAN PARENTS PREVENT THE SPREAD?
Disinfect surfaces
In case your youngster will get norovirus, it’s essential to disinfect the extremely touched surfaces of your own home. Consider counter tops, doorknobs, distant controls, fridge handles, and sink knobs. A bleach resolution is the best at killing it. When cleansing surfaces, use disposable gloves or paper towels and wash your arms completely afterwards. The USDA, EPA and CDC are one of the best sources for merchandise and techniques to forestall the unfold.
Encourage hand washing
Wash arms with cleaning soap and water and scrub for no less than 20 seconds. That is the best strategy to stop the virus spreading by the arms. Encourage children to do that earlier than consuming and after utilizing the lavatory. Norovirus is detectable in poop earlier than signs begin and may stay for weeks afterwards!
Don’t share meals and drinks
Norovirus can survive on each meals and drinks, so don’t prepare dinner for your loved ones you probably have the sickness. And remind your children to not share meals and drinks with their associates and siblings.
HOW DO I TREAT NOROVIRUS?
There are not any drugs that deal with norovirus. The sickness has to run its course. Deal with water or electrolyte drinks to maintain your youngster hydrated. Ask your youngster’s physician if she will be able to take antinausea drugs to make her extra snug.
WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR?
When you’ve got been offering supportive care at house and are nonetheless involved, it’s not a foul concept to contact your physician. He or she will wish to examine for signs of dehydration and to guarantee that there may be not another excuse for his or her sickness. In case your youngster is peeing loads much less typically than common he might have to come back to the hospital for intravenous fluids. Fortunately, this doesn’t occur typically.