Everything you need to know about winter diseases (Walla! NEWS system)
The winter months and the cool weather that afflicts us make some of us feel happy, but winter is also known as a time when many unpleasant diseases appear.
The most well-known of the winter diseases is the flu, but it's really not the only one.
In recent weeks there have been quite a few reports of people contracting norovirus, from the US to England. According to reports in England, cases are 66 percent higher than average for this time of year, with the biggest increase being among people aged 65 and over. So we decided to check What is the source of this virus, what are the symptoms that betray the norovirus, and of course - how to treat.
What is the norovirus?
The norovirus, which has been known for over 50 years, has since been identified for the first time in an outbreak in Ohio, USA. The epidemic was given the dubious nickname "the vomiting disease of winter", due to the symptom that tends to appear at the beginning of the disease, which includes vomiting and diarrhea.
How common is the virus?
Very, as it is very contagious.
The virus is passed from person to person by contact with infected feces or not being careful to wash hands after contact with feces.
A very small amount of virus (less than 100 individual viruses) is enough to infect.
The virus is secreted in the feces in a maximum amount during the first two days of the illness, after which the amount decreases sometimes up to a month later.
Since the virus also causes vomiting, it may also be transmitted through stomach fluids that contain noroviruses.
Similarly, food products contaminated with the virus can infect those who eat them.
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What other symptoms may appear with the virus?
Similar to other viral diseases, the norovirus can also cause a bad general feeling, weakness, high fever, headaches and muscle pains that appear mainly in the limbs.
At the same time, the most familiar symptoms are, as mentioned, vomiting and diarrhea.
The most familiar symptom of all - vomiting.
A woman vomiting (Photo: ShutterStock)
How long does it take from the moment you get infected until you feel sick, and in how long is the situation expected to improve?
The symptoms appear in less than two days from the moment of infection, and usually last between one and three days, and pass as quickly as they arrived.
Of course, if the symptoms do not go away or in cases where it is not possible to drink at all, it is recommended to consult a doctor.
The main danger, especially in young children and the elderly, is dehydration.
Is there a treatment for this virus?
There is no specific treatment for the virus, so the treatment is mainly aimed at relieving symptoms and preventing dehydration.
Regarding dehydration, it is important to remember that vomiting and diarrhea also lose salts and not just water, so it is important to take care to drink that includes the return of salts (such as fresh soup or isotonic drinks).
How are you protected from infection?
One of the main characteristics of the norovirus is its impressive resistance to extreme environmental conditions.
The virus is resistant to freezing, to heating up to 60 degrees and it is not eliminated by the usual disinfectants such as chlorine or hand sanitizer gel.
Therefore, it is highly contagious.
The main way is maintaining good hand hygiene, which includes washing with soap and water followed by alcohol-based disinfection after every contact with secretions.
And of course - avoid exposure to patients.
If you or your child has the virus, be careful not to infect others.
The rule of thumb for returning to the environment of people (work or educational settings) is two days after the symptoms have passed.
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winter
Vomiting
Diarrhea
winter diseases
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