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How To Protect Yourself From Norovirus This Winter
According to the CDC, norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting, diarrhea, and foodborne illness in the United States. “Each year, there are about 2,500 reported norovirus outbreaks in the United States. Norovirus outbreaks occur throughout the year but are most common from November to April.”
With cold weather settling in across much of the country, it’s more important than ever to understand how to protect yourself.
Norovirus is extremely contagious and spreads quickly. According to Dr. Craig Wilen, associate professor of laboratory medicine and immunology at the Yale School of Medicine, who told TODAY.com, “Specifically, it spreads through viral particles contained in feces and vomit. This route is what’s known as ‘fecal-oral transmission.’”
Wilen explained that these particles can spread through direct human contact or through fomites, “which are basically any contaminated object where the virus can get on,” said Wilen.
Once on a surface, “the virus can be stable for days, if not longer,” Wilen says, “and then someone can touch that surface or eat something that has the virus on it and get infected that way.”
Norovirus doesn’t spread through the air, so wearing a mask won’t offer protection from this particular virus.
It’s also possible to have very mild symptoms — or no symptoms at all — while infected.
Wilen says, “They can shed the virus asymptomatically, and it’s likely those people that are helping to initiate these outbreaks,” he explains.
So, what’s the most effective way to protect yourself? Washing your hands with soap and water.
Why? Because “soap is a detergent, and it can dissolve and break apart the capsid and inactivate the virus pretty efficiently,” Wilen further explains.
In fact, soap and water is more effective in killing the virus than hand sanitizer. While Wilen noted that hand sanitizer is “somewhat effective,” he told TODAY that “soap is definitely the way to go.”
In terms of cleaning your home to get rid of potential particles in your home, Wilen suggests using bleach wipes. Wilen even added that his norovirus research team relies on bleach to stay safe in the lab.
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