In the event you’re like me and have youngsters in daycare or faculty, you brace your self once you hear {that a} abdomen bug goes round.
Norovirus is without doubt one of the most typical 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 towards it. Because of this even when your youngsters 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. In truth, some sources say it’s the best it’s been in 15 years. We don’t know if it is because persons are testing extra or if it’s a true enhance. Both manner, now is an efficient 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 will possibly additionally trigger fever, physique aches and complications. As a result of youngsters lose plenty of fluids after they have it, you will need to look ahead to indicators of dehydration. Hold a watch 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 probably the most at-risk for problems 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. Because of this its construction and different traits make it tougher to kill. Most cleansing merchandise and alcohol-based hand sanitizers is not going to kill the virus. As a result of hand sanitizer gained’t kill it, youngsters want to scrub their arms with cleaning soap and water for at the very least 20 seconds earlier than they eat and after they go to the lavatory.
2. Children don’t want a variety of publicity to get contaminated
Not like different viral diseases, you don’t want publicity to a variety 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 also can unfold by airborne particles
Completely different than different abdomen bugs, norovirus spreads by coughs and sneezes. The primary manner youngsters get sick from norovirus remains 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 little one will get norovirus, it’s essential to disinfect the extremely touched surfaces of your private home. Consider counter tops, doorknobs, distant controls, fridge handles, and sink knobs. A bleach answer is the simplest 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 at the very least 20 seconds. That is the simplest option to stop the virus spreading by the arms. Encourage youngsters 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 cook dinner for your loved ones when you’ve got the sickness. And remind your youngsters 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 little one hydrated. Ask your little one’s physician if she will be able to take antinausea drugs to make her extra snug.
WHEN TO CALL THE DOCTOR?
When you have been offering supportive care at house and are nonetheless involved, it isn’t a nasty thought to contact your physician. He or she will need to examine for signs of dehydration and to guarantee that there may be not another excuse for his or her sickness. In case your little one is peeing lots much less usually than standard he might have to return to the hospital for intravenous fluids. Fortunately, this doesn’t occur usually.