How to Protect Yourself as Norovirus Hits South Florida

If your spouse, neighbor, coworker or child’s teacher has the stomach bug, beware. The highly contagious norovirus is rampant in South Florida.

A New Dominant Strain

Norovirus has torn through the United States this winter, peaking early in some parts of the country but taking hold in South Florida over the last few weeks. It arrives with cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, dizziness and fatigue, symptoms that set in about 12 to 48 hours after exposure to viral particles. On average, one person with norovirus will infect two to seven others.

What You Need to Know

Norovirus is hard to kill on surfaces, where it can live for days to weeks. If someone in your household vomits in the bathroom, you need to clean every contaminated surface with a disinfectant (typically bleach). The virus also can spread through contaminated food.

Prevention is Key

Medical experts want Floridians to know that hand sanitizer does not kill norovirus. You need to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. Hand washing is key after you use the bathroom and before you prepare food, said Dr. Indulekha Gopal, medical director for infection control at Broward Health North.

• It doesn’t take much of the virus to make someone sick. Only a small particle is needed to pass on the infection.
• Doctors recommend that adults and children stay hydrated with Pedialyte. “Pedialyte is less irritating to the stomach than Gatorade and people tolerate it better,” Gopal said. “Make sure to sip it frequently.” Dehydration can lead to other symptoms, like dizziness.
• Zofran or antinausea medications may be necessary to curb the vomiting and fluid loss and allow you to take a fever reducer. However, antidiarrheal medications can be tricky, said Dr. Maria Garcia, an emergency medicine physician at Baptist Health South Florida. “Some bacterial infections present similar symptoms and antidiarrheal medications will worsen them. You need to discuss it with a healthcare provider,” she said. “My recommendation is to avoid them.”
• You can’t get norovirus from someone coughing or sneezing, so masking won’t help.
• Symptoms from norovirus usually last one to three days.
• You can still spread norovirus for days after you’re feeling better. “If you are preparing food and had norovirus a few weeks ago, you may be still shedding, so adhere to strict hand hygiene protocols,” Gopal said.

What to Do if You Get Sick

If you are dizzy, weak and the vomiting is out of control, you may have to seek medical attention, Gopal said. Dehydration can be problematic for young children, the elderly and anyone who is immunocompromised.

Conclusion

Most people get better after a few days. But not everyone. It’s essential to take precautions to prevent the spread of norovirus, and if you do get sick, to seek medical attention if necessary. By following the guidelines provided above, you can reduce your risk of contracting norovirus and help protect those around you.

FAQs

Q: Can I get norovirus more than once in a season?
A: Yes, it is possible. If there are multiple strains around, you might have had the virus and created immunity to one strain and someone is around you with another strain and you get infected again, said Dr. Garcia.

Q: Is there a vaccine for norovirus?
A: Not currently, but drug manufacturer Moderna is working on one.

Q: Can I get norovirus from someone coughing or sneezing?
A: No, norovirus is spread through person-to-person contact and contaminated food and surfaces, not through respiratory droplets.