Holidays are great for people getting together and sharing holiday foods. It’s also a time when germs can spread quickly. Norovirus is sometimes called the stomach flu or stomach bug. Here are a few facts about the “stomach flu” and how you can prevent you and your family from getting sick.
First, the norovirus group were first identified as the cause of a primary school outbreak of vomiting/diarrhea in Norwalk, Ohio during the early 1970s. The Noro virus group consists of related viruses that share similar symptoms and epidemiology. You may see both names, noro virus and Norwalk virus, to describe the same infection.
Noroviruses are the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis (infection of the stomach and intestines) in the United States. They spread easily and are often called stomach flu or viral gastroenteritis. Noro virus illness is not related to the flu, which is caused by influenza virus. The most common symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain.
People who are infected can spread it directly to other people or can contaminate food or drinks they prepare for other people. The virus can also survive on surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus or be spread through contact with an infected person.
Norwalk Virus comes from transferring the virus to the mouth from the hands. Sharing food, water and/or utensils can transmit the virus. Touching a contaminated doorknob and/or stair railing and then touching your mouth is a possible way to get noro virus. It’s possible to get it airborne, as well. Only a few viruses can cause illness yet and infected person can shed billions of norovirus particles.
Other sources of norovirus are contaminated foods like ready-to-eat foods. Fruits, salad and shellfish can be contaminated by the infected individual or, in some cases, the water source. Wells and water sources need to be checked regularly before consuming the water.
Currently, there are no vaccines available for prevention of Norwalk or noro virus. It is a virus; therefore, antibiotics are ineffective against it. Also, alcohol-based hand sanitizers are ineffective against norovirus. Good hand washing with soap and water and cleaning and disinfecting surfaces and objects are the two most effective practices to remove norovirus particles.
Wash your hands often with soap and water. Wash especially after using the toilet or changing a diaper. Wash always before eating, preparing or handling food and before giving yourself or someone else medicine.
To help make sure food is safe from norovirus, routinely clean and sanitize kitchen utensils, counters and surfaces before preparing food. Use a chlorine bleach solution of approximate 1 tablespoon per quart of water or 5 tablespoon per gallon of water to fight off noro virus.
Serious illness is rare and is usually associated with dehydration. Keep fluids up to replace lost fluids from vomiting or diarrhea. Drink plenty of water or water containing foods like soup. Here is a good recipe for chicken soup.
Chicken Soup
6 cups broth
1 cup cooked chicken
1 cup uncooked rice or 2 cups noodles or 1/2 cup barley
2 cups vegetables (see ideas below)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon dried parsley
Place cooked chicken, rice, and broth into a large saucepan and cover. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat. Stir and simmer for 15 minutes. Add vegetables and seasonings. Simmer for 10-15 minutes until vegetables are tender.
Ideas — For vegetables, use any of the following: Canned vegetables such as green beans, Navy beans, tomatoes, or mushrooms; frozen vegetables such as peas, lima beans, corn, broccoli, or cauliflower; fresh vegetables such as potatoes, onions, carrots, celery, cabbage, or squash. Other seasonings you can use are bay leaf, thyme, oregano, and chili powder. Use beef broth and cooked beef, or turkey broth and cooked turkey, instead of chicken. Makes 8 -2 cup servings.
