Oh, no...It's NOrovirus
This stomach bug, is persistent and sudden. (And not recommended for weight loss.)
Before I begin…my heart goes out to everyone affected by the tragic fires in California. As of this writing (I have written this five days in advance of the publication date), they are still burning, and too many lives have been lost. I am incredibly sad for all the loss and destruction and wish all well. Please hold everyone in your thoughts and donate whatever you can to help. The Red Cross and the Salvation Army are just two of the many charities that are collecting for victims of the devastating fires.
If you haven’t heard about, or known people infected with Norovirus…you might not have been paying attention.
This year there’s an unusually high number of cases of Norovirus, which is most common from November through April (although it can happen at any time).
Norovirus has little to no warning system. One minute, you’re going about your business, feeling fine, and the next, you’re experiencing explosive vomiting. 🤮
Oh, joy.
You may have heard about the party in Los Angeles when about 80 people developed Norovirus after eating shellfish. But it’s not just foods like raw oysters and berries (those have also been linked to the virus) that carry the virus.
Interesting fact: One reason shellfish (like oysters and muscles) are popular carriers of Norovirus is that they eat by filtering water, so can end up with concentrated amounts of contaminated water in their flesh.
This hearty virus can linger on surfaces for days and even weeks. It can be passed on through contact with an infected person and from contaminated water or surfaces. One report I read recounted a person leaving their bridge club and vomiting in the parking lot. When all the other people at the table also became ill, norovirus was found to be living on the playing cards.
This is one contagious virus! And because of its ease of transmission, crowded indoor spaces are particularly risky.
I have to admit that all of this has me a bit paranoid. So, I checked to see how best to arm myself against this scourge. While you can’t always avoid catching viruses, some things can help lessen your chances of contracting it:
Practice good hand hygiene. Soap and water are your best bet here. The structure of Norovirus makes it tougher to treat by using alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wipes. Wash for a minimum of 20 seconds, and wash often, especially after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, or prior to preparing food or dispensing medicine to someone else.
Cook and wash foods thoroughly. Since Norovirus is fairly resistant to heat, when cooking fresh shellfish, make sure their internal temperature reaches 145 degrees. Thoroughly wash your fruit and vegetables, as well as food preparation surfaces.
Steer clear of infected people. This is obvious, but even though a person who has the virus feels better, they can still be contagious for two weeks. (The virus has been shown to remain in feces for that long.)
One minute, you’re fine. and the next…you’re not. Though Norovirus has the same symptoms as other stomach bugs - vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes fever - what sets it apart is its rapid onset.
Usually, the virus will clear up in a day or so. But if you do get it, make sure to rest, stay home, and drink plenty of fluids. (I know a few people who had it and ended up in the ER with dehydration.)
Right now, no antiviral treatment exists for this stubborn virus. Let’s all try our best to dodge it with some simple, common-sense precautions… it’s a helluva way to lose those last stubborn few pounds.
If you don’t believe me, listen here.
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Thanks for reading. Be well and be kind to yourself, and to others. Xo Sheryl