Norovirus surge in NJ brings advice on prevention
Doctors say it's crucial to wash hands often
By: Scott Fallon
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... Cases few the flu are starting to rise nationally and in New Jersey as they head toward their annual winter peak.COVID-19, RSV and other respiratory diseases are also calculating, as they typically do in the post-holiday surge.
.....
But in salvo of winter ailments, New Jerseyans must now contend with another highly contagious disease norvirus.
..... The stomach bug, which often causes sudden bouts of vomiting and diarrhea, has seen a surge in recent weeks in the Garden State and nationally.
..... It spreads extremely quickly and can run through an entire family in the time it takes for a toilet to reset.
..... "It's short-lived but intense," said Dr. Daniel Varga, chief physician executive at Hackensack Meridian Health, whose won family dealt with a bout over Christmas.
..... The U.S. is having one of its worst norovirus seasons in recent memory, for reason that are not well known.
..... The number of outbreaks in the 2024-2025 season so far is surpassing the typical range that occurred for 2012 to the winter of 2023-2024.
.....
From august through the second week of December 2024, the U.S, saw 495 norovirus outbreaks, compared with 363 during the same period in 2023.
..... Of the 195 norovirus and outbreaks reported last year, [2023] 70 came in December, the state Health Department said.
..... There were only 15 in December 2023.
..... May who have the misfortune of experiencing the brief but intense symptoms see primary or urgent care providers if they seek medical care at all, Varga said.
..... Most who go the emergency room are sent home to recover. Those who are admitted tend to be children and elderly people who are so dehydrated from vomiting and diarrhea that they may face more serious conditions such as kidney failure.
..... "Most of what we do is symptom control," Varga said. "It's drinking a lot of fluids to make up for the ones you losing."
How to stop the spread
..... To stop the spread of norovirus, skip the Puirell and wash your hands.
..... "It's about as low-tech a solution as their is, but it works," said Dr. Sural Kumar Saggar, chief of the Department of Infectious Disease at Holy Name medical center in Teaneck.
..... Noevirus is easily transmitted from surface to surface, and even though sharing food. Wash hands of at least 20 seconds. Soggar is a must. Hand sanitizer is not effective against norovirus, says the federal Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
..... While basic hygiene is a must, you should avoid touching your face, especially around the nose and mouth. That's easier said that done, considering that the average person touches it 50 to 70 times an hour. "We don't even realize we're doing it," Saggar said.
..... Washing food before cooking is also effective. Norovirus is resistant to heat and does not emit an odor or foul taste if it contaminates food.
..... "It takes very little of this virus to cause disease," Saggar said. "It burns through a household very fast. And then it takes about 36 hours until it's out of your system."