Norovirus spreads

Bigfork Eagle

If you or someone you know has suffered from nausea, vomiting and diarrhea this winter, the likely culprit is norovirus, commonly called “stomach flu.” If you haven’t caught it, you can take steps to avoid the illness, according to the Flathead City-County Health Department.

The health department has received laboratory confirmation of numerous cases of norovirus illness in the community. The public, health care providers’ offices and several health care facilities have reported additional cases of confirmed or suspected norovirus illness to the department.

“I think it’s potentially all over the valley,” public health nurse Alison Bishop said.

Often mistaken for food poisoning, norovirus is very contagious and can spread rapidly. The common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. Sometimes people will also have low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscles aches and tiredness. Children may have more vomiting than adults when they are ill. The illness usually starts suddenly, and lasts one to two days.

The most important ways to limit spread of norovirus are good hand-washing, disinfecting with a bleach-based cleaner and staying home when sick.

People infected with norovirus are contagious from the time they become ill to at least three days after recovery. Some people may remain contagious for as long as two weeks.

The health department asks people who have been ill to not prepare meals for others until 72 hours after the symptoms have stopped. The Montana Department of Health and Human Services recommends that food handlers and people who provide direct care to others not return to work until 72 hours after the symptoms stop.

For all the illnesses circulating — norovirus, colds, influenza and others — remember to prevent the spread of illness with frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home from work and school when ill. Drink plenty of fluids and rest to help speed recovery.

For additional information, call Community Health at 751-8110 or Environmental Health at 751-8130.