Stick To Science And Do What You Can
Speaking of things that dont kill noroviruses: Drinking grape juice or apple cider vinegar wont keep you healthy, despite what friends may have told you. These cures supposedly work because they change the pH of the stomach, making it too acidic for noroviruses to grow. But norovirus grows in the small intestine, so changing the stomach environment is really not going to do you much good, Dr. Wikswo said.
If this all sounds overwhelming, I hear you. Do what you can. And there is good news: Some people are naturally more resistant to noroviruses because of genetic mutations that affect sugars found on cell surfaces. People with B or AB blood types are more resistant, too. And most of the time, noroviruses are more unpleasant than they are dangerous. Maybe unpleasant is too generous a word, but the other words Im thinking of arent fit for print. Ill be yelling them into my toilet the next time I get sick, though, thats for sure.
How To Disinfect After The Stomach Flu
Put on your hazmat suit . Dilute your bleach with water according to the instructions on your bleach container, and pour into a spray bottle. Do NOT use straight bleach as it is too concentrated! Spray all hard surfaces with the diluted bleach spray. Remember to spray the toilet handle & rim, the doorknobs, the faucet, and the light switches. Let the solution sit for 15 minutes as this is how long it takes to disinfect. Go back through and use wet paper towels to rinse down all the surfaces you sprayed with bleach. The reason I use paper towels is so I can throw them away at the end, and I wont bleach my washcloths. If you/your child used any remotes for the TV or video games, spray a little of the bleach solution directly onto a paper towel and wipe down the remote. After 15 minutes, use a damp paper towel to rinse.
Whenever someone has the flu in our house, we put a sheet over the couch where they tend to be during their flu session. After the flu has passed, I wash that sheet as well as all bedding, pillows, and stuffed animals the person had during their bout with the flu. Launder everything in the hottest water tolerated, and dry on high heat . Remember to wear both gloves and a mask when handling infected bedding.
Hit Germs Where They Live
When a bug strikes, it’s likely to hide out in sneaky places — and stay there a while. Flu viruses live on some surfaces for about 24 hours. Norovirus, a common cause of stomach bugs, can linger for days or even weeks. And both are super contagious. Knowing how to destroy these left-behind germs can keep sickness from spreading in your home.
You May Like: How To Recover From Stomach Flu
How Is Norovirus Spread
Norovirus spreads very easily in public places such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools.
You can catch it if small particles of vomit or stools from an infected person get into your mouth through:
- close contact with someone with norovirus who may breathe out small particles of the virus that you then inhale
- touching contaminated surfaces or objects, as the virus can survive outside the body for several days
- eating contaminated food, which can happen if an infected person doesn’t wash their hands before preparing or handling food
Norovirus is most infectious from the start of symptoms until 48 hours after all symptoms have stopped. You may also be infectious for a short time before and after this.
You can get norovirus more than once because the virus is always changing and your body is unable to build up long-term resistance to it.
In The United States Viral Gastroenteritis Is The Second Most Common Illness In Most Cases Its Caused By Norovirus Why Is This Infection So Prevalent
Norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis because anyone can be affected children and adults. Its also very easy for infected people to spread the virus to others. People can shed billions of particles of the virus, and it really only takes an extremely small amount as few as 18 viral particles to make another person sick.
Don’t Miss: What Foods To Eat To Lose Stomach Fat
How Do You Disinfect Clothes With Norovirus
Use detergent and a 1/2 cup of bleach to wash clothing and linens according to label directions. If bleach cannot be used, use an oxygenated detergent according to label directions. Wash contaminated items in a pre-wash cycle followed by a regular wash cycle using the hottest setting. Dry using the hottest setting.
How Is Swine Flu Spread
-
Aerosols
These are very fine particles spread with something like a sneeze. When a person with swine flu sneezes the particles are small enough to stay in the air and be inhaled by someone else.
-
Larger droplets
These are expelled through coughs and sneezes. They land on surfaces and can also be inhaled.
-
Indirect contact
Virus particles spread by sneezes, hands or items touched by an infected person. Virus particles can survive for over 24 hours on hard surfaces.
Also Check: How Do You Lose Fat Around Your Stomach
What You Need To Clean Vomit From Microfiber Furniture
Last time the stomach flu went through our home, my son had just started to drink fluids. Apparently, his stomach was not okay with that, and he threw up all over the couch. Yes, I had the trusty ice cream bucket right next to him, but he missed, and it was seriously in every nook and cranny of the couch. This was new territory for me. I hadnt done vomit removal from the couch, and boy was I excited to trynot!
How Long Does Stomach Flu Last
The stomach flu usually lasts less than a week. Be sure to stay home if you have symptoms, and continue to practice good handwashing afterward. The virus can still be in your stool for up to two weeks after youve stopped having symptoms, so be extra careful with your bathroom habits. Always wash your hands after having a bowel movement, and wash any soiled fabrics in hot soapy water.
Also Check: Does Ibs Cause Stomach Cramps
What You Need When Disinfecting After The Stomach Flu
Affiliate links may be used. Please see our advertising disclosure for more information.
- Face Mask You do not need a whole lot of the flu virus to get sick, and breathing it in can get you sick. Therefore, I keep face masks available for times like this.
- Gloves When you touch a surface containing the flu virus, you get it on your hands, so when you touch other items, you just spread the flu around. Using gloves helps prevent you from getting the virus everywhere just make sure to remove the gloves before touching other items.
- Bleach A reader made me aware of the fact that scented bleach is not labeled as a disinfect as it contains less of the active ingredient sodium hypochlorite, so stick with regular bleach.
- Paper Towels
Is There A Specific Treatment Or Cure For Norovirus
No, unfortunately the infection just needs to run its course. If youre dehydrated and you can’t keep anything down, you should talk to your doctor. You may benefit from medication to help you stop throwing up, or you may need some IV fluids. People with diarrhea may be tempted to take some over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medicine, but you definitely want to consult your doctor first. If the infection is anything more serious than the norovirus, using a medication to decrease the number of times you’re using the bathroom could actually make things worse, particularly if you have a bacterial infection.
Don’t Miss: How To Lose Stomach Fat After Baby
How Can Stomach Flu Be Prevented
Since stomach flu can be caused by multiple factors, getting the flu vaccination alone isnt enough to protect you from gastroenteritis. Children should follow the standard vaccination schedule and get the rotavirus vaccination when indicated. This vaccination can protect your child from getting sick from the rotovirus but not all children can receive this oral vaccination, so please check with your pediatrician before doing so.
You can take other steps to reduce your risk of getting stomach flu:
Practice good handwashing
When youre sick, the virus spreads from anything that comes in contact with virus-infected feces. Good handwashing is vital in stopping the spread. Viruses left on hands can easily spread to surfaces, food and people you touch. Its important to wash your hands well after you go to the bathroom, change a diaper, touch any bathroom surfaces and before you handle food.
Be careful with food
You can catch stomach flu from contaminated food or water, or pass it on to someone else. To keep viruses out of your food:
Clean sick areas
Clean anything that you may have touched while you were sick with stomach flu. Wash laundry with hot water and dry with high heat. Be sure to use a disinfectant to clean areas where a sick person vomited or had diarrhea.
Clean And Disinfect Surfaces
After someone vomits or has diarrhea, always thoroughly clean and disinfect the entire area immediately. Put on rubber or disposable gloves and wipe the entire area with paper towels, then disinfect the area using a bleach-based household cleaner as directed on the product label. Leave the bleach disinfectant on the affected area for at least five minutes, then clean the entire area again with soap and hot water. Finish by cleaning soiled laundry, taking out the trash, and washing your hands.
To help make sure that food is safe from norovirus, routinely clean and sanitize kitchen utensils, counters, and surfaces before preparing food.
You should use a chlorine bleach solution with a concentration of 1,000 to 5,000 ppm or other disinfectant registered as effective against norovirus by the Environmental Protection Agency . For more information, see EPAs Registered Antimicrobial Products Effective Against Norovirus pdf iconexternal icon.
Don’t Miss: How Do I Burn Fat Off My Stomach
How To Avoid The Highly Contagious Stomach Flu
Sometimes it seems like kids and germs go together like peanut butter and jelly. And once summer comes to an end and a new school year begins, many parents brace for the inevitable: stomach flu.
Its important to note, however, that this gastrointestinal misery, which seemingly spreads like wildfire, has nothing to do with the flu the respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Kids or adults with stomach flu most likely have gastroenteritis, or inflammation of the lining of the intestine. It can be caused by a variety of microscopic bugs, but in most cases the culprit is norovirus.
In fact, norovirus is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis around the world. In the United States, its responsible for about 20 million cases of gastroenteritis each year. Nearly two million people seek help from their doctor for a norovirus infection annually and some 400,000 people end up in the emergency room, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Norovirus is highly contagious but there are some steps you can take to help reduce your risk of infection, and if you do get sick how to manage your symptoms.
Dont Bother With Apple Cider Vinegar Or Grape Juice
Anyone who has tried to fight the good fight with norovirus has found a million articles on the internet about how consuming ACV or grape juice as soon as the virus hits your house can change your bodys pH so as to make it uninhabitable to norovirus.
Ive definitely tried these, and have thought that maybe they worked. But according to Dr. Mary Wikswo, from the CDC, it was likely all in my imagination. orovirus grows in the small intestine, so changing the stomach environment is really not going to do you much good, she told the Times.
The whole thing sound utterly confusing and exhausting, huh? Yeah, the times that I have really tried my best to contain norovirus were probably as time consuming and troublesome as actually suffering through the virus. And my success rate wasnt exactly stellar. I think Ive kept it to one family member only about 30% of the time, and that may have only been some dumb luck.
Still, its definitely worth a shot, right?
The good news is that while norovirus is an incredibly disgusting nuisance, it is usually a short-lived virus when it hits you, with most of us feeling better in 24-48 hours. And unless you have a compromised immune system or become dangerously dehydrated, it is not going to harm you terribly.
So definitely try these measures to minimize noroviruss nasty spread, sticking to things that are proven to actually work. And then, cross your fingers and toes your family lucks out and isnt all puking for the next week straight.
Also Check: What Can I Take To Settle My Stomach
What Are The Symptoms Of Stomach Flu
The main symptom of gastroenteritis is diarrhea. When the GI tract becomes infected during gastroenteritis, multiple activities from the virus brings on diarrhea. Malabsorption occurs because of the destruction of the gut cells called enterocytes. The virus can also disrupt the reasbsorption of water and induce secretory diarrhea, which is responsible for the loose liquidy stools.
- Headache and body aches.
Norovirus Symptoms Tend To Pass After A Few Days But The Virus Can Live On Surfaces And Sicken Others For Up To Two Weeks Heres How To Fight It
You may know noroviruses by their hallmark symptoms vomiting and diarrhea. Also known as gastroenteritis or winter stomach bug, norovirus is sometimes mistaken for food poisoning. Symptoms tend to pass after a few days, but norovirus can live on surfaces and sicken others for up to two weeks.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, noroviruses cause anywhere from 19 million to 21 million cases of acute gastroenteritis per year. While most symptoms arent serious, diarrhea and vomiting can cause dehydration.
Also Check: How To Reduce Stomach After C Section
How Long Does Noroviruslive On Surfaces
Norovirus can survive up to 2 weeks on surfaces such as doorknobs, laundry, and handrails. Disinfection of most viruses require levels in the 500-800ppm range. So, why does the CDC recommend 1000-5000ppm for norovirus?
The problem is that Norwalk virus mixed in with vomit and diarrhea remains active even after a floor has been mopped clean. Bleach is taken up by any organic matter and since viruses are very small most of the bleach is absorbed by the unseen vomit/diarrhea. By preparing a 5000ppm concentration, you insure that the virus is ultimately exposed to something that is at least 1000ppm.
If Norovirus Is So Common And Contagious Is There Anything People Can Do To Help Reduce Their Risk For Infection
The best way to protect against norovirus is to wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Make sure that you rinse off all fresh fruits and vegetables before you eat them. If you’re at all concerned about norovirus infection, make sure you’re also cooking these foods thoroughly. Make sure all shellfish you eat are cooked as well because they can also transmit the virus due to how they’re harvested and grown. Anyone with a norovirus infection should also not prepare food for others until at least 48 hours after their symptoms resolve.
If someone in your household is sick, make sure this person isnt in close contact with others and isnt sharing plates, cups or utensils. You should also clean bathroom and kitchen countertops as well as other commonly touched objects, such as doorknobs and light switches, with a bleach-based household cleaner, or other disinfectant thats approved by the EPA for use against norovirus. The virus can remain on surfaces for up to two weeks.
Read Also: How To Treat Burning Stomach
Does Hand Sanitizer Kill Stomach Bug
hand sanitizerskillstomach bugHand sanitizers
Furthermore, do any hand sanitizers kill norovirus?
Norovirus is enclosed by a structure known as a capsid. Alcohol cannot get through it, which is why alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not kill norovirus. It’s resistant to many common disinfectants, Hall said. CDC recommends using bleach to kill it, including chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide.
Also, do Clorox wipes kill stomach virus? A little-known fact about noroviruses is that many household cleaners and wipes don’t kill them. Clorox and Lysol Disinfecting wipes claim to kill 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria, but that doesn’t include noroviruses.
Also asked, how do you disinfect after a stomach bug?
Clean and disinfect surfacesAfter someone vomits or has diarrhea, always thoroughly clean and disinfect the entire area immediately. Put on rubber or disposable gloves, and wipe the entire area with paper towels, then disinfect the area using a bleach-based household cleaner as directed on the product label.
How long does norovirus live on fabric?
Stomach bugsSalmonella and campylobacter survive for short periods of around 1 to 4 hours on hard surfaces or fabrics. Norovirus and C. difficile, however, can survive for much longer. In one study, C. difficile was shown to survive for 5 months. Norovirus can survive for days or weeks on hard surfaces.
What Disinfectant Kills Rotavirus
Disinfectdisinfectant
. Just so, do Lysol wipes kill rotavirus?
Cleaning wipes don’t work. A little-known fact about noroviruses is that many household cleaners and wipes don’t kill them. Clorox and Lysol Disinfecting wipes claim to kill 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria, but that doesn’t include noroviruses.
Beside above, what disinfectants kill norovirus? Norovirus is enclosed by a structure known as a capsid. Alcohol cannot get through it, which is why alcohol-based hand sanitizers do not kill norovirus. It’s resistant to many common disinfectants, Hall said. CDC recommends using bleach to kill it, including chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide.
Subsequently, question is, how long does the rotavirus live on surfaces?
If you touch your child’s unwashed hands or any object he’s contaminated and then touch your mouth, you can be infected as well. Disinfecting is key: Rotavirus can live on surfaces and objects for weeks.
How do you disinfect after norovirus?
How to Clean Up After Norovirus
Don’t Miss: How To Shrink Fat Cells In Stomach