Monday Medical: Take precautions to keep you and your family protected against norovirus – Steamboat Pilot & Today

Health care professionals have been issuing the alarm about a trifecta of viruses hitting Americans this winter: COVID-19, the flu and RSV.

But should we be on alert for a fourth one as well norovirus? Medical experts say there are several ways you can protect yourself and your family from this very contagious virus so it doesnt put a damper on your winter plans.

We are seeing it here in Steamboat, said Lauren Bryan, infection prevention program manager at UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center. This time of year, were stuck indoors and touching the same surfaces, which is an optimal way for it to spread.

Norovirus is an incredibly contagious virus causing diarrhea and vomiting. Its spread through fecal material if someone doesnt wash their hands thoroughly after using the bathroom, for example, or after changing a dirty diaper.

Its a super contagious, super virulent virus, she said. It an equal-opportunity virus as well as it attacks the young and the old.

Once someone is infected, it can be passed to others unknowingly through direct contact such as through sharing food or utensils. It often sweeps through schools, child care centers and nursing homes, or other places where people are in close proximity with each other.

While its sometimes called a stomach bug or flu, its not caused by an influenza virus. You can get it any time of the year, although its most prevalent in the winter. Bryan said she sees cases even into June.

Norovirus differs from the flu in that it has a shorter duration, usually lasting one to three days, and doesnt cause a fever, sore throat or other upper respiratory symptoms like influenza, RSV or COVID-19.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, norovirus is responsible for nearly 1 million pediatric visits each year, 900 deaths (mostly among adults aged 65 and older) and 109,000 hospitalizations.

The most common symptoms are:

For skiers and riders, Bryan suggests they carry hand sanitizer.

Think about it: Everyone is using the gondolas and touching the same common areas when you come into the restaurants to take a break and eat, she said. Once you touch these surfaces and then put your hand in a glove or mitten, its the perfect warm and moist environment for bacteria and germs to thrive.

Theres no treatment per se, but there are steps to manage it to make you feel less miserable, she said.

Most importantly, stay hydrated with fluids that contain electrolytes.

You want something that has some salt and potassium since you are losing electrolytes, and they need to be replenished, said Bryan.

Also important: Seek care if you cant keep fluids down, if you become dizzy or if your urine is dark. For children, she suggests taking them to a medical provider if they are complaining of a dry throat or mouth.

Its a miserable couple of days but hang in there and stay hydrated, she said. If you cant, we want you to seek care.

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Monday Medical: Take precautions to keep you and your family protected against norovirus - Steamboat Pilot & Today