An uptick in the number of people reporting vomiting and diarrhea has Public Health Sudbury & Districts warning of an outbreak of norovirus.
NorovirusNorovirus is not uncommon, but its symptoms are those you would like to avoid: nausea, cramps, headache, fever, vomiting and the always entertaining, watery diarrhea.
It is spread in the stool and vomit of those infected, through person-to-person contact. Food contaminated by an infected person who (as appetizing as it sounds) failed to wash their hands properly after using the toilet — to which we say: gross.
Fortunately, norovirus tends to run its course quickly. People typically become ill 24 to 48 hours after exposure to the virus, and symptoms usually last only one or two days. People should also remember that they can continue to spread the virus for up to several days after the symptoms stop.
“Anyone who has symptoms should stay away from vulnerable people and places such as hospitals, long-term care homes, and child care centres for at least 48 hours after symptoms stop, to avoid spreading the virus,” said Dr. Penny Sutcliffe, medical officer of health. “Hospital patients and long-term care home residents are particularly at risk due to their potentially weakened immune systems.”
Help limit the spread of the infection by:
- Wash your hands thoroughly, especially after using the bathroom, before eating or preparing food, as well as prior to having any contact with older adults, children, people who are ill and other vulnerable persons.
- Do not handle or prepare food for anyone if you are ill.
- Do not visit anyone in a hospital or long-term care home if you are ill.
- Stay home if you are ill and for two days after your symptoms stop.
- Carefully clean up vomit and feces, wash or discard anything that was contaminated with vomit or feces, and disinfect all surfaces with a solution of one part household bleach to nine parts water (30 ml or one ounce of bleach in 266 ml or nine ounces of water).
- Clean and disinfect washrooms and all surfaces that people frequently touch at least once per day with a solution of one part household bleach to nine parts water if there is someone ill in your home.
