Norovirus In New England Is On The Rise And It’s Brutal
The CDC has recently detailed that Norovirus cases in New England are the highest they have been in a year. As someone who has been wrestling with the virus for the past week, I can tell you, that it has been a miserable experience. Thankfully, there are some simple ways to take preventative measures, and protect yourself from getting this stomach bug.
According to a graph the CDC published, the Norovirus peak in the northeastern region of the United States is at its highest now. In fact, we are in the region of the country where the peak is currently the highest.
How To Avoid Norovirus
There are some standard best practices here. Obviously, diligently washing your hands is up there on the list of healthy practices to make routine. Health professionals, including those on the CDC site, explain that just using hand sanitizer is not enough. The good news is that this virus is not often spread through airborne exposure. However, the handling of food is important. Making sure countertop surfaces are frequently cleaned. Norovirus can travel through food and survive through heat up to 145 degrees. So, washing fruit, vegetables, and utensils are also necessary steps to stay healthy. Lastly, if you have Norovirus, you get a pass on cooking for your friends and family for a bit.
Why You Want To Avoid Norovirus
To get right to the point, it’s incredibly uncomfortable. Aside from the obvious graphic details of why you are spending so much time in the bathroom, there are few other symptoms that have been worse. Now, I had Norovirus once about ten years ago. It resulted in an intense 24-30 hours of getting crushed. My experience with the Norovirus going around New England this year has been quite different. Sure, all of the fun stuff you read about is part of the Noro-experience, but the excruciating stomach aches have been the worst part. Imagine if cramping and setting your gut on fire came together. That’s what it has felt like. In addition, a headache in a similar fashion has also been part of my 2024 edition.
The difference with this bout is that instead of a super-intense 36 hours, it’s been a bit less but spread over the course of the week. Taking the sometimes inconvenient steps to try and avoid catching the virus, including drinking your water, is well worth it.
