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The leading cause of food-borne sickness and gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach or Intestines), Norovirus is a group of highly contagious viruses that cause gastrointestinal illness in humans. Norovirus has gotten the inaccurate nickname “Stomach Flu” though it has no relation to the flu: a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus.
Extremely resilient to a variety of environments, Norovirus survives for up to a month outside the body. It spreads rapidly through contaminated food, water, and surfaces in addition to direct contact with infected individuals. With outbreaks occurring most often in the winter, now is the time for preventative action to keep yourself and your family safe.
Symptoms
The below symptoms usually begin 1 – 2 days after exposure to the virus:
- Stomach cramps
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
In more severe cases the following symptoms may occur:
- Low-grade fever
- Chills
- Sudden weight loss
- Head and muscle aches
- Fatigue
Treatment & Prevention
There is no vaccine to prevent or antibiotic to cure Norovirus so it’s all up to your immune system to destroy the virus. Stay well hydrated and rested to improve immune strength, replace lost fluids, and recover in up to 3 days. You can prevent illness with good hygiene: thoroughly wash hands, handle food and water with care, and disinfect contaminated surfaces with a mixture of detergent and bleach.
AFC Urgent Care Lyndhurst is open seven days a week at extended hours to offer quality urgent care when you need it most. Call us at 203.826.2140 for more information on our services.
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