Outbreaks of norovirus, known for causing acute gastroenteritis with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, are being reported at higher rates in the United States compared to previous years. This trend is also being observed in Europe and other regions worldwide, as stated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Robert Atmar, an infectious diseases physician and professor of medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, provides insights on protection against the virus and treatment options if infected.
"A person can get a norovirus infection at any time throughout the year, but its epidemic peaks are in the winter," said Dr. Atmar. "It affects people of all ages. We aren't sure why infection rates are higher this year than in years past, but it probably has to do with the circulating strains and the lack of immunity in the population."
Norovirus is highly contagious and can spread through contaminated food or water, touching contaminated surfaces or objects, or close contact with an infected individual. Once infected, symptoms like vomiting may last from 24 to 72 hours.
"People are the most infectious when they have symptoms," Atmar explained. "The virus can be detected in a person's stool before they develop symptoms and for at least several days after recovering from the illness. Just because a person has gotten over their symptoms doesn't mean they can't potentially transmit it."
For prevention, Dr. Atmar recommends washing hands with soap and water for about 15 seconds, particularly after touching surfaces or using the bathroom. When cleaning up vomit or diarrhea, gloves should be worn and a 10% bleach solution used to disinfect affected areas before washing hands again thoroughly.
"People who are sick should not be preparing food for others," he advised. "Even after they have recovered, if they plan to prepare food for others, they should still make sure to wash their hands."
In terms of treatment, staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids is crucial as there is no specific antiviral medication for norovirus. However, physicians can prescribe medications to alleviate nausea and vomiting.
Currently, there are no vaccines available for norovirus prevention. Vaccines are undergoing clinical evaluation to determine their efficacy in preventing or mitigating the virus's effects but may take several years before public availability.
