For many sports fans we are quickly approaching the best time of year, March Madness. Which entails a month filled with last second shots, Cinderella stories, inevitable heartbreaks and plenty of time spent with family and friends watching the big game. Whether your game day routine is having people over to your house or meeting up at the local sports bar in town, food borne illnesses will be present. The stomach flu (Norovirus) has been ramping up this past month and could cause your bracket to get busted. Don’t get benched from the big game by the stomach flu.
30 Second Timeout
Let’s take a quick break from the action and hear the fast facts about the Norovirus. The Norovirus is the most common food borne illness in the United States. The Norovirus can be spread from person to person, food to person, or person to food. Which makes it highly contagious. 70% of all outbreaks are caused by food handlers. There is no vaccine to protect you from the Norovirus and antibiotics will be ineffective when it comes to guarding the stomach flu.
How Norovirus Travels
The Norovirus begins in food or liquids that have been contaminated. It can be transmitted by consuming food, touching food, or simply touching surfaces that food was on. It can also be transmitted by person to person contact, like shaking hands. The main ways the Norovirus is spread includes: direct contact with an infected person, sharing food or eating utensils, and consuming contaminated food or water. These factors make the Norovirus highly contagious.
Full Court Press
Preventing the Norovirus will definitely take an all out team effort. It is crucial that you make it a habit to wash your hands several times a day. Washing your hands is especially important before you eat, prepare, or handle food. The Norovirus is also present when you use the restroom. Be sure to wash your hands every time you use the restroom or change diapers because the virus can live in poop 2 weeks after the symptoms have gone away! Clean all fruit and vegetables thoroughly before consuming. Routinely clean and disinfect areas where food is consumed and prepared, the virus can live on surfaces for weeks.
The Scout on the Norovirus
Symptoms of the Norovirus include: diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and stomach pain. It normally takes 12-48 hours for these symptoms to appear once infected. The Norovirus can cause extreme levels of dehydration.
Defending the Norovirus
If you do become infected with the Norovirus, it is crucial to drink plenty of fluids like sports drinks and juices to help replenish all the nutrients and electrolytes you lose. Follow the BRAT diet of bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast to help your upset stomach until the symptoms subside. Get plenty of rest, and avoid contact with people or preparing food for people 2 days after symptoms subside.
Be the MVP
Only you can prevent yourself and others around you from getting the Norovirus. Wash your hands regularly, cook and clean food properly, and keep all areas where you consume food clean and disinfected. This time of year is when legends are made and heroes are born. Be a hero and take the necessary steps in preventing the Norovirus.
Tyler Watson, Wabash College ‘22, is an intern at the Montgomery County Health Department.
