As cases of norovirus continue to spike across the United States, health officials are warning many to take precautions in order to prevent falling ill.
Noroviruses, often dubbed the stomach flu, is an extremely infectious illness that can cause several symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pains, according to the CDC. The virus can result in symptoms that last for one to three days.
What makes norovirus even more dangerous is that despite people not feeling symptoms, they can still spread it for up to two weeks after they start to feel better.
So, how is it spread?
The CDC shares that norovirus is primarily spread through contact with someone who has the virus or contaminated surfaces that an infected person interacted with.
The virus can also spread through food and mutates at a rapid pace, meaning if you’ve had it before, you aren’t necessarily safe from getting it again.
How can you prevent it?
The best way to fight norovirus is to wash your hands using soap and hot water for 20 seconds after coming in contact with someone who may be sick and before preparing or consuming food. For those who rely on alcohol-based hand sanitizers, you’ll have to ditch them, as they won’t kill the virus.
If someone who is ill has come in contact with clothing or bedding, wash it with detergent and the hottest possible water on the longest possible cycle.
When it comes to surfaces, norovirus can survive for weeks or months, as the only way to kill it is by cleaning with a chlorine bleach solution with a concentration of 1,000 while allowing it to sit for at least five minutes, the CDC shared.
The best way to keep norovirus from your foods is to wash them well, as the virus can survive up to 145 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning it may still survive after being cooked.
For more tips on how to best protect yourself, visit the CDC’s website here.