Cases of a highly contagious stomach virus are on the rise in Illinois and the Midwest, and health officials are warning people to take extra precautions as numbers could be even higher than reported heading into the holiday gathering season.
What’s more, this virus is particularly hard to kill and many may not even realize they’re spreading it.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, norovirus cases have been climbing nationally, especially in the lead-up to and after the Thanksgiving holiday. The virus, which is particularly hard to kill, is also known as “winter vomiting disease.”
But while national numbers have shown early signs of decline in the most recent data from the week of Nov. 29, Midwest numbers continued to climbed.
The DuPage County Health Department put out a social media alert to residents Tuesday warning that “cases of norovirus are continuing to increase.”
“Norovirus is very contagious, and anyone can get infected and sick,” the health department wrote on Facebook.
Dr. Jonathan Martin, an infectious disease physician with Cook County Health, said the rise in cases this time of year is not uncommon, but the virus is not one that is typically tested for and the spread could be even higher than what has already been reported.
“That’s one of the viruses that we don’t routinely test for. It is a clinical diagnosis, and it would be rare that someone who is not hospitalized is actually tested for that virus,” he told NBC Chicago.
Wastewater data has also shown a spike in cases across parts of Michigan and Indiana, according to WastewaterSCAN.
Amanda Bidwell, scientific program manager for the WastewaterSCAN program, told NBC News that norovirus wastewater concentrations have increased nationwide by 69% since October, according to data through Nov. 21.
“Right now, we’re in the high category for norovirus at the national level,” she said, noting that rates are high in the Northeast and Midwest region.
The CDC reports an average of about 2,500 reported norovirus outbreaks in the United States each year. An outbreak is defined as “two or more similar illnesses resulting from a common exposure that is either suspected or laboratory-confirmed to be caused by norovirus.”
What is norovirus?
According to the CDC, “norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea.”
It is sometimes referred to as the “stomach flu” or a “stomach bug” or “winter vomiting disease.”
The disease is known for spreading quickly and being particularly hard to kill.
“It is very hardy,” Martin said. “Because of that … it’s not uncommon for everybody in the household to get this infection.”
What are the symptoms of norovirus?
“Acute onset” cases often present “pretty typical symptoms” like nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, according to Martin.
Symptoms typically develop within 12 to 48 hours after exposure.
The CDC notes that while diarrhea, vomiting and nausea are among the “most common,” other symptoms include:
- Most common symptoms: Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain
- Other symptoms: Fever, headache, and body aches
The virus can be differentiated from other winter viruses because it doesn’t often include symptoms like congestion or cough, Martin said.
“The illness usually lasts twenty-four to forty-eight hours. And to differentiate it from infections like COVID or flu, you really don’t have a lot of congestion or cough. So if it’s isolated just to the GI tract, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea, odds are that’s the virus that you’re dealing with,” he said.
There’s also the potential for complications associated with the virus, which could require medical attention.
“The biggest complication of this virus is dehydration,” Martin said. “So it would be important if you do have this infection, if you are having multiple bouts of these episodes at home, it would be important to keep yourself hydrated. Any amount of fluids that you can keep in your body would be helpful. And if you start to fall behind on your fluids, if you start to feel sicker, if you have high-grade fevers, or if you start to feel more tired and fatigued, it would be important to contact your doctor because that would be one of the thresholds to go seek care.”
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
How does it spread?
Norovirus can spread a number of different ways, according to the DuPage County health department.
They include:
– Having direct contact with an infected person.
– Consuming contaminated food or water.
– Touching contaminated surfaces and then putting your unwashed hands in your mouth
What’s more, the CDC notes that those who contract the virus “can still spread norovirus for two weeks or more after you feel better.”
“Most people with norovirus illness get better within one to three days; but they can still spread the virus for a few days after,’ the CDC reported.
And just because you’ve had it before doesn’t mean you can’t get it again.
“You can get norovirus illness many times in your life because there are many different types of noroviruses. Infection with one type of norovirus may not protect you against other types,” the CDC states.
Who is most at-risk?
Norovirus can infect anyone and becomes particularly challenging in congregate settings, experts said.
“This virus is very hardy because it’s very easily spread to other people. It is a danger in the schools. It is a danger in congregate housing, settings like that,” Martin said.
Children younger than 5 years old, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems are at an increased risk for developing severe infections.
According to the CDC, one other unexpected risk factor could be your genetics.
How can you prevent it?
Because norovirus is so contagious and particularly resistant, it can be hard to prevent in those who are exposed.
“It stays on commonly used things like countertops and toilet bowl seats and in bathrooms and because it’s very hardy, it is not killed by your standard alcohol-based hand sanitizers,” Martin said.
That’s why it’s important to use soap and water when washing hands.
“If you are going to try and clean it, you need to use a bleach-based cleaner to actually kill this virus because it is very hardy,” he added.
Those who are sick should also take measures to help keep the virus from spreading.
“It would be important if you do think that you have this virus, if you are ill, to stay home, to not leave the house, to avoid infecting other people, and also make sure that your hands are washed and the areas around you are clean,” Martin said.
The CDC recommends the following precautions:
- Wash your hands well and often.
- Cook shellfish thoroughly and wash fruits and vegetables.
- Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces.
- Wash laundry in hot water.
- Stay home when sick for 2 days (48 hours) after symptoms stop.
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