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Norovirus Epidemic

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that is frequently encountered in the winter months and known particularly for symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting. Infection with this virus affects the stomach and intestines, causing gastroenteritis, a disease in which diarrhea and vomiting occur together, commonly known as stomach flu.

Symptoms

  • The symptoms of norovirus do not start immediately after the virus is transmitted to a person. The effects of the virus begin 12-48 hours later, and this onset can also be sudden.
  • Symptoms include nausea, abdominal cramps, vomiting, watery and non-bloody diarrhea, stomach pain and contractions, fever, muscle pain, headache, and tremors.
  • The symptoms develop suddenly or gradually, and last for 1 to 3 days.
  • If diarrhea does not go away after 3 days, if blood is seen in the stool, and if vomiting is very severe, it is recommended that you see a doctor without delay.
  • You can continue to be contagious for a few more weeks after recovering from norovirus. Therefore, you should be careful not to transmit the virus to others during this period.
  • Some people with norovirus infection may not have any signs or symptoms, but they are still contagious and can spread the virus to others.

Contagiousness

Norovirus can be transmitted in many ways. The reason why it causes an epidemic is due to this feature. It is common throughout the country, especially in the winter months. It can be transmitted from one person to another during close contact. The virus increases its effectiveness even more in crowded and closed areas. For this reason, hospitals, cinemas and theaters, schools, and public transportation vehicles are risky areas. Contamination is also common due to contact with food, water, and previously contaminated surfaces.

A person infected with the virus can spread the disease by spreading a large number of norovirus particles around them. For this reason, if you have caught the disease, you should try not to go out in public. Remember that norovirus can stay on surfaces you touch for days. For this reason:

  • Try not to come into contact with those around you to avoid infecting them.
  • Wash your hands regularly with soap.
  • Disinfect surfaces you touch, such as door handles, and warn others not to use objects you touch.
  • Do not share your food, drinks, or glasses with others.
  • Be careful not to splash water while washing your dishes.
  • Do a good cleaning before leaving the toilet, remember that feces and urine are important sources of contamination.
  • In addition to all this, you should try to remain cautious as you may still spread the virus for 2 weeks after recovery.

Treatment

  • There is no treatment for norovirus, but you can overcome the disease more easily with medications and precautions.
  • Drink plenty of fluids against possible dehydration due to diarrhea and vomiting.
  • Do not neglect to use diarrhea and nausea-vomiting medications prescribed by your doctor.
  • Try to consume light and fibrous foods during the illness.
  • Do not insist on asking your doctor for antibiotics because antibiotics help treat health problems related to bacteria. They are not effective on viruses.

Recommendations

  1. Do not stop eating due to diarrhea and vomiting.
  2. If you feel nauseous, eat small meals at short intervals.
  3. Consume foods that are easy to digest such as toasted bread, bananas, applesauce, or rice.
  4. If you still feel nauseous, do not eat for a while and then try again.
  5. Remove dairy products such as milk and cheese from your diet.
  6. Stay away from coffee, other caffeinated drinks, alcohol, cigarettes and their derivatives, and spicy and fatty foods.

We wish you healthy days.

Services Directorate

healthcenter@sabanciuniv.edu