As cases increase, health experts offer advise on combating the Norovirus

Rochester, New York – Officials from Rochester Regional Health are discussing the local situation of Norovirus illnesses as the number of cases nationwide continues to rise.

In the past two weeks, RRH has reported less than ten Norovirus cases. The great majority of people won’t need to be admitted to the hospital, according to officials. The virus is extremely contagious and the most frequent cause of gastroenteritis.

“The illness has also struck us all at once. Thus, there has been a slight shift away from the high number of COVID-19 patients and pneumonia cases. Many symptoms may overlap with one another. Indeed, we have observed a slight gastrointestinal component to influenza. According to Lauren Phillips, service manager for all RRH urgent care centers, “So, with Norovirus specifically, it really tends to lack the upper respiratory component we see with influenza.”

A low-grade fever will occur in about half of Norovirus patients. However, officials believe it can be difficult to overcome the severe nausea it causes. They advise drinking water sparingly.

The treatment consists solely of supportive care and hydration measures, which makes it difficult. Consuming extremely little volumes throughout the day is one of the most crucial things I really emphasize to my patients. “Perhaps just one or two ounces at a time,” Phillips added.

Officials also emphasized the importance of the rapid spread of the norovirus.

We simply watch as it destroys communities. It destroys schools, nursing homes, and sports teams, and it’s incredibly difficult to control. It spreads swiftly and has a brief incubation period of 12 to 24 hours, according to Phillips.

Experts advise against using hand sanitizer during treatment because of its potency, which makes it ineffective against the Norovirus. Officials stress that you should get medical help right away if you begin to feel noticeably dehydrated after experiencing symptoms.