Gastrointestinal Illness
In an effort to increase awareness and promote prevention we would like to remind families that we often notice an increase in gastrointestinal viruses during this time of year. Gastrointestinal viruses are easily transmitted through food, person-to-person contact, or through contaminated surfaces.
Symptoms of gastrointestinal virus/Norovirus:
Norovirus is the most common gastrointestinal virus. It often causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping. Symptoms may also include low-grade fever, headache, weakness, and muscle aches. Symptoms can begin as early as 12 hours after exposure to the virus or as late as 48 hours. The symptoms of norovirus usually last 1 to 2 days.
Norovirus is sometimes called the “stomach flu”, but is not related to influenza (the flu), which is a respiratory viral illness that causes fever, cough, chills, headache, muscle aches, runny nose, and sore throat.
Treatment often involves maintaining hydration.
Prevention:
Wash your hands thoroughly. And make sure your children do, too. Teach children to wash their hands, especially after using the toilet. It's best to use warm water and soap and to rub hands vigorously for at least 20 seconds. Completely clean all areas of hands and under fingernails. Carry towelettes or hand sanitizer for times when soap and water aren't available.
Use separate personal items. Avoid sharing eating utensils, glasses and plates. Use separate towels in the bathroom.
Keep your distance. Avoid close contact with anyone who has the virus, if possible. Children should be excluded from school until diarrhea/vomiting has ceased for 2 days.
Disinfect surfaces. Use bleach-based household cleaner to disinfect toys and hard surfaces, such as counters, faucets and door knobs.