BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A dangerous virus is spreading fast and furious throughout our region.
Doctors warn that norovirus cases are increasing and the region has not yet reached its peak.
Some say data shows the number of cases could be the highest in a decade.
When a person gets the disease, it can be extremely painful and make it very difficult to retain fluids. The risk of dehydration is therefore serious, particularly in children, elderly populations and immunocompromised people.
“It hits like a ton of bricks, literally, in a very blistering way,” said infectious disease specialist Dr. Jeffrey A. Jahre.
Jahre also serves as senior vice president of medical and academic affairs at St. Luke’s University Health Network.
He says one second you may feel healthy, but an hour later it could be a completely different and disgusting story.
“You suddenly experience huge amounts of vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, abdominal cramps and this feeling of complete fatigue and weakness,” Jahre explained.
You may hear people refer to norovirus as winter vomiting sickness, cruise ship virus, or the stomach flu.
“Some estimates put this figure as 10 times higher than what we’ve seen over the last decade,” Jahre said. “We know the statistics are just the tip of the iceberg because most people don’t get tested for this type of test and don’t even end up seeing a doctor.”
If you catch this virus, you may need to see a doctor or go to the emergency room.
“It’s very difficult for them to keep anything,” he said.
Small sips of non-acidic liquids can help keep someone hydrated.
“Sometimes just getting short-term intravenous hydration can be very, very helpful in helping someone get through this,” he encouraged.
What makes the virus so contagious is that traditional hand sanitizers fail to kill it.
Jahre says you should wash your hands with soap and water for at least 15 to 30 seconds.
You should use a chlorinated bleach solution on surfaces that a sick person has touched.
“What I also advise people, if they suffer from it, is to use a nail brush after going to the toilet, because there can be particles that can become embedded under the nails,” emphasized Jahre.
The bad news: Jahre says if you get norovirus once, you’ll probably get it again in years to come.
Experts are working on a vaccine that he believes would be extremely beneficial to society as a whole.
