Norovirus

What is NOROVIRUS?

It is a virus that causes "stomach flu" or gastroenteritis.  It is not related and is not the same as influenza 

Symptoms of the NOROVIRUS

Symptoms usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping, Sometimes people will have low-grade fevers, chills, headaches, muscle aches, and a general sense of tiredness.  The illness often begins suddenly, and the infected person may feel very sick.  It is usually brief with symptoms lasting one-two days. However, once symptoms have passed, a person is still contagious for up to 72 hours.

Concerns for nursing home residents

The biggest concern is dehydration.  Sometimes people are unable to drink enough liquids to replace the fluids lost due to vomiting and diarrhea.  Norovirus is very contagious and can spread easily from person to person.  Nor viruses are found in the stool or vomit of infected people. 

How do people become infected?

Nor viruses are found in the still or vomit of an infected person and the virus can be transmitted through

·          Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus;

·          Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with the norovirus, and then placing their hands in their mouth

·          Having direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms of the illness

The CDC provides special precautions to those working (they don't mention living) in nursing homes because the virus is very contagious and can spread rapidly throughout these environments.

Protocol

·         Virginia Department of Health precautions include quarantining, cleaning and sanitizing, and frequent hand washing.  VDH issues guidelines to nursing homes in the event of a GI outbreak. VDH recommends quarantining the facilities along with general recommendations:

·          Wash your hands frequently;

·          People who are sick should not prepare, serve or handle food for others, which can spread the virus;

·          People who work in direct patient care and child and elder care should not work when they have a gastrointestinal illness and should remain home from work two to three days after symptoms end;

·          Promptly disinfect contaminated surfaces with household chlorine bleach-based cleaners;

·          Promptly wash soiled articles of clothing.

Information is from the Virginia Department of Health, Fairfax County Department of Health, and the CDC.