Brutal Stomach Bug Hitting Massachusetts Hard

If you hate vomiting, you're in trouble. Cases of norovirus, the pathogen that causes gastroenteritis, are affecting Massachusetts. The "winter vomiting bug" is wicked contagious, but usually lasts only 1-3 days.

The bug spikes normally in February and March, although you can catch it any time of year. During summer, when people aren't confined indoors, cases tick down.

Kids usually bring the virus home. Norovirus cases affect 19-21 million people a year in the U.S. The virus is found in feces and vomit as well as surface contamination.

The norovirus is also on the rise nationwide, with 12% of tests returning positive, marking a 3% increase from November. Testing was at 14% in the northeast section of the country. nypost.com

Symptoms

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Aches
• Cramps
• Low-grade fever
• Fatigue

How Does One Prevent Getting Norovirus?

• Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before eating or preparing food, after using the toilet, and after changing diapers.
• Make sure all food preparation areas are clean before use.
• Cook your food completely. Wash all fruits and vegetables.
• When traveling to an area that might have contaminated water, drink bottled, preferably carbonated, beverages and do not use ice.
• After episodes of vomiting or diarrhea, clean contaminated surfaces immediately with a bleach-based household cleaner.
• If you care for someone who has vomited or has diarrhea, wash your hands with plenty of soap and warm water after cleaning the bathroom, helping the person use the toilet, or changing diapers, soiled clothes or soiled sheets.
• If you or your child has persistent diarrhea (with or without a fever), or the diarrhea is very bad, call your healthcare provider for advice.

You Know What Doesn't Work?

Hand sanitizer.

The use of hand sanitizer was so prominent during the Covid-19 pandemic that it became the "go-to" for preventing any type of sickness.

The CDC does not recommend the use of alcohol-based sanitizer in preventing this nasty virus.

You can use hand sanitizers in addition to hand washing, but hand sanitizer is not a substitute for handwashing, which is best. -cdc.gov