SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Data from the CDC suggests norovirus is peaking in the northeast.
“It seems like what’s usually — you get sick around January, February has lasted even longer you know about 2 months of them getting a head cold, a sneeze, you know then the stomach bug, so it’s been constant sickness,” Williston resident Jennifer Wideawake said.
Dr. Tim Lahey of UVM Medical Center says norovirus is a pretty common virus that comes in waves — especially in the cold, winter months.
“Norovirus typically hits quickly, you can feel normal and then a couple of hours later be unable to stop throwing up,” Dr. Leahy said.
Dr. Lahey advises those to eat bland foods and drink anything with electrolytes. He says the most common symptoms are having a fever and diarrhea.
“Norovirus is really easy to transmit through ordinary activity. We think that it gets on people’s hands and on the surfaces and the place they live, and so can easily be transmitted between people who live together, eat together, and go to school together,” Dr. Leahy said.
He says it affects everyone differently — some people have it for a day but could last 2-3 days for some people.
“Staying hydrated is a really important thing to take care of,” Dr. Leahy said.
Wideawake is fortunate enough to not catch norovirus this year — but she did test positive for COVID-19 which opened her eyes.
“I’ve been trying to wash my hands I’ve definitely noticed that I got a little laxed about it but as soon as I got sick I was back on the whole washing my hands every time I get back into the house, definitely upped my hand sanitizer in my bag everything like that so it has helped,” Wideawake said.
Dr. Lahey says the most common norovirus outbreaks are in dorms and schools.
“There are some things that you can do to lower the risk of transmission that includes meticulous hand washing and cleaning of surfaces where the person was sick,” Dr. Lahey said.
Dr. Lahey says this virus can lead to serious illness for certain people.
“Folks who are immune compromised really should stay away from somebody who had acute nausea and vomiting,” Dr. Lahey said.
To protect yourself and others from norovirus — experts say to wash your hands with soap as often as you can — rinse fruit and vegetables — stay home when you are sick — and avoid preparing food for others.