University Park, Pa. -- The Pennsylvania Department of Health has released an alert regarding the marked increase of Norovirus infections. Noroviruses are a group of highly contagious viruses that can cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, fatigue and low-grade fever. Often called the "stomach flu," norovirus actually is not a flu virus at all.
Influenza, or the flu, can be a serious respiratory illness with symptoms that last for several days. As with all viral infections, antibiotics are not effective in treating the virus but many flu infections can be prevented by receiving an annual vaccine. Conversely, there is no vaccine available to prevent norovirus infection.
Norovirus symptoms usually last for one to two days, but some people may still be infectious for up to two weeks. It's important for people who have norovirus symptoms to wash their hands thoroughly and refrain from food preparation.
According to Shelley Haffner, University Health Services (UHS) infection control nurse manager, "Norovirus may become airborne (aerosolized) during vomiting and contaminate nearby surfaces." The viruses can spread quickly among individuals -- such as college students -- in shared living arrangements such as dormitories or apartments. The illness can be spread through sharing contaminated food and drinks, direct contact with people who are carrying the noroviruses, and touching contaminated surfaces.
Dehydration is common. Those who are infected with norovirus should drink plenty of fluids. Temporarily restricting activity also can facilitate recovery.
Good hand hygiene is an important part of infection control. "I can't emphasize enough how important it is to wash your hands and not share drinks, utensils or food," says Haffner. "Wash hands before meals, after bathroom uses, and after cleaning even if gloves are worn. If soap and water are not available, alcohol hand sanitizers are the next best option." When cleaning, a mixture of a half-cup of bleach to one gallon of water is an effective surface disinfectant.
For additional information about avoiding the norovirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Web site at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/norovirus.htm online. Additional information and resources on good hand hygiene are available on the UHS Web site at http://www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/ohpe/handwashing.cfm online.