Early December saw a sharp increase in norovirus cases, sometimes known as the stomach flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to the CDC, more than twice as many cases reported between 2021 and 2024 occurred during the week of December 5. According to a news statement from the Minnesota Department of Health, the state saw twice as many instances of stomach flu in December than usual.
Gastroenteritis is brought on by the highly contagious norovirus, which inflames the stomach and intestines. Often called the “stomach flu,” it has nothing to do with influenza. A major source of foodborne illness worldwide, norovirus can afflict individuals of all ages. This page discusses norovirus causes, symptoms, and prevention measures.
Causes
Norovirus spreads primarily through:
- Food or water contamination: Eating or drinking anything that has been tainted by the virus.
- Person-to-person contact: Shaking hands or sharing utensils with an infected person are examples of close contact.
- Contaminated surfaces: Contacting the mouth, nose, or eyes after coming into contact with surfaces or objects that have been contaminated with the virus.
- Particles inhaled by an infected person’s vomit or faeces are known as aerosolized particles.
Signs
Symptoms typically appear 12–48 hours after exposure and include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach cramps
- Fever or chills
- Muscle aches
- Fatigue
Dehydration (dry mouth, dizziness, reduced urination)These symptoms typically last one to three days, but in small children, the elderly, or those with compromised immune systems, they may be more severe.
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