US Norovirus Surge Worst in a Decade: How to Treat 'Stomach Flu' Sickness

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: Newsweek

Published Dec 28, 2024 at 6:10 PM EST


A severe outbreak of norovirus, the stomach flu, is surging across the United States as it has reached its highest levels for this time of year in over a decade, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Newsweek has reached out to the CDC via email for comment.

Why It Matters

Norovirus, the leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S., is a highly contagious virus responsible for nearly 58 percent of foodborne infections annually, according to the CDC. A tiny dose of just 10 viral particles can make a person ill, making it one of the most easily transmissible pathogens. In addition, there are about 2,500 norovirus outbreaks reported annually in the U.S.

The infection manifests suddenly, with symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, headaches, body aches, and fever. While most people recover within one to three days, the virus takes a significant toll, leading to an estimated 109,000 hospitalizations and 900 deaths annually in the U.S., particularly among older adults and young children.

What To Know

According to the CDC, during the week of December 5 alone, 91 outbreaks were reported—an alarming increase from the 69 recorded in late November. This rise surpasses previous seasonal records, which topped out at 65 outbreaks during the same period in recent years. This marks the largest number of cases during this period since at least 2012. This data, sourced from only 15 states, also suggests prevalence may be even higher.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/us-stomach-flu-surge-worst-decade-how-treat-norovirus-2007056

[hlthe2b]

1. I will add that alcohol hand sanitizers do not kill norovirus or other non-enveloped viruses. WASH w soap/water!

and do so regularly and vigorously. Yes, most surface disinfectants (quaternary ammonia products, for example) do inactivate, but you can't use these on the skin. Soap and water regularly and vigorously. And be aware that uncooked/foods not meant to be cooked and handled by others can readily transmit.

For those interested a clinical trial is in process for a Moderna vaccine, but that may be a heavy lift. Norovirus, like Coronaviruses evolve/mutate quickly, though the latter is more readily inactivated with hand sanitizers, given they are enveloped viruses.

[Hugin]

2. I received a notice about that Moderna trial...

Somewhere in the back of my mind I recalled the fact you cited about the norovirus having a high mutation rate. I am still considering going with the trial because of my frequent trips into dormitory environments. Every little bit helps. With my luck, I’d end up in the control group.

Good point about the cross contamination. I’m always chiding the baggers in my life not to put the produce in with the meat. It’s a bad idea in every case, not only for the norovirus. Actually, they are generally receptive to the advice and have become more circumspect with their handling. A win.

[multigraincracker]

3. I think if you are in the control group and the product works

you’ll be first to get the treatment.

[PSPS]

8. Walter Reed has been working on a "pan-coronavirus" vaccine since the pandemic with promising results

Such a vaccine would provide immunity to any virus in the corona family.

https://mrdc.health.mil/index.cfm/media/news_releases/2021/pan_coronavirus_vaccine_development_strategy
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41423-023-01116-8

[hlthe2b]

12. Yes. I have been following that. Though this is for Coronaviruses only

and Noroviruses are Caliciviridae, so there would not be cross-over protection-- for any following our discussion who are confused... But success in one area often seeds possibilities in others.

That said, I am very interested in the Coronavirus vaccinology literature. Like Influenza viruses, which likewise mutate constantly, a vaccine not specific to any specific variant would be fantastic. But, work on the latter has been a rollercoaster of potential successes that meet up against complexities. Still, it will come...

[spinbaby]

4. We just had it

Miserable business.

[Historic NY]

5. There is a lingering respiratory, head cold, coughing, mucus thing

going on also. I've been dealing with since Dec 8th. Its better finished a z-pac but its still there.

[Cheezoholic]

10. Ive had that since mid November. Finally shook it just before Xmas. Was on an antibiotic for a month

as I had a consistent fever for 3 weeks. It went up and down between 99 and 103. I have a bad heart so Doc was really concerned. Tested me for everything under the sun they could and couldn't figure out an exact cause. A lot of folks in my area have had the same thing, it lasts and won't go away. My fever finally broke just before Xmas after my second Z-Pac. Had all my vaccines back in early October ut they can't get them all. I agree, there's some strange critter floating around out there this winter!

[GB_RN]

6. Stomach Flu. Damn I Hate That Labeling.

There’s no such thing as “stomach flu.”
Flu, short for influenza, is an illness caused by the influenza virus, and is an upper respiratory tract infection, just like the common cold. The URT consists of the nose (nasal cavity and nostrils), sinuses, mouth, pharynx (upper throat), and larynx (voice box. Pronounced lair-inks, not lair-nicks).

Lower URT infections, like bronchitis and pneumonia, affect everything below the larynx. Main stem bronchus through the lungs.

Norovirus (and other, similar infections), is an upper gastrointestinal (digestive) tract infection. Those diseases affect the stomach and upper portion of the small intestine. Lower GI infections affect the GI tract below that point. Examples would be amoebic dysentery, and C. difficile (aka, C. diff). These cause large bowel inflammation and usually, diarrhea. Bad and I mean awful cases of diarrhea. C. diff has a unique odor (and consistency - looks like it’s full of seeds), and an ICU nurse can tell a C. diff infection just from that odor.

Maybe I’m being particular, or maybe it’s my OCD, but I hate when something is labeled incorrectly.

Thanks for listening to my TED Talk! 😁

[LetsGetSmartAboutIt]

7. I'm with you flu is a totally different thing

Maybe stomach flu is just a simple way to say it was a stomach thing that is transmissible to people who don't look too deeply into such things.

People know what it means, it's miserable, I'd take regular flu any day, and maybe they will wash their hands to avoid it.

Was interesting that the hand sanitizers do not work well against it, another big fail on cruise ships where it is a big problem if it gets on board. Communal eating is a great way to spread it ! But there is hand sanitizer there not helping at every turn ! At least on the one cruise I've ever been on, and most likely my last.
Not my thing.

[Freddie]

9. This is why I will never go on a cruise

Floating germ factory.
I have emetophobia (fear/intense hatred of vomiting) and norovirus is my worst nightmare. Trials for vaccines? Sign me up!

[hlthe2b]

13. Re: "stomach flu"- For decades the medical and scientific community has tried to get the media to stop referring to ALL

infectious agents--whether a common bacterial agent like Strep (strep throat infections) or Tuberculosis or Lyme Disease--it never failed to have it lumped in as a "virus." And, of course, to understand fungal infectious, or gawd forbid PRION diseases... The press once had medical correspondents and editors. They are rapidly disappearing as "news" becomes entertainment and budgets are diverted to the latest celebrity gossip. (Don't get me started... )

So, I guess we are destined to the conflation of influenza in this manner for some time to come.

[mahina]

14. Informative! Thank you.

Odd to have never heard or read this till your very good post!

[GB_RN]

19. Thanks!

A lot of people take a bit of umbrage when they’re corrected, so many times it’s just not worth the effort of the doc/NP/PA or RN to say anything. Think: “I need antibiotics! I have a cold.” 🙄 Try and tell that person that antibiotics won’t help and they get pissed and say something along the lines of, “Well, my last doctor gave them to me,” and then they file a complaint against you because you were arrogant/rude and unhelpful. 🤦‍♂️

I can’t tell you the number of patient charts I see that have, say, opioids under medication allergies. But the effect is “nausea” or “makes me sleepy.” Makes you scream. “Holy f***ing shit! That’s not an allergy, that’s a known side effect!” An actual allergy would be itching, skin redness, hives or anaphylaxis.
I’ve only seen this once, but a patient claimed to be allergic to epinephrine (aka, “epi to us medical professionals) which is colloquially known as…”adrenaline.” Her allergic response? “Makes my heart race.” Yeah, no. Just…no. 1) you can’t be allergic to epinephrine. It’s your own body’s natural adrenal glands’ secretion during stress responses❗️2) it’s SUPPOSED to make your heart rate increase (see 1), and 3) it’s the drug we give for anaphylactic reactions to actual allergies; Epi-pen, anyone? It’s used in other situations, as well.

Try telling a patient that they don’t have (or in the case of epi, can’t have) an allergic response to xxxx, and (in many cases) see what happens. Not a lot of fun for us. 🙄😡🤦‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[Bluebelle76]

16. Thank you!

Great TED Talk.

[GB_RN]

18. Thanks!

Glad I you liked it. 😊

[Easterncedar]

20. Thanks for ranting so I didn't have to.

I think precision matters in this subject especially.

[GB_RN]

23. For Sure!

Why should we be less precise in our language than we are in making Rx dosages. Imprecision in either one can be deadly.

And thanks!

[CTyankee]

24. I always thought that "stomach flu" was a euphemism for diarrhea for when you call in sick.

When I was still working I used to hear that and shudder.

[GB_RN]

26. Yeah...

Not sure how/when/where the co-opting of the term happened.

[CTyankee]

28. well, it works fine in the "call in sick" euphemism. Nobody wants you around anyway!

[Turbineguy]

11. Bacteria and viruses are getting ready for trump2

Dinner is served!

[kimbutgar]

15. I'm visiting my mother in law in Arizona and we went to a place called the Arizona broadwalk

And in one of the venues the owner told me that a bad stomach flu is going around. I feel ok as we have not eaten out and have cooked our own food but I am going to be extra careful before I leave tomorrow.

[Unladen Swallow]

17. My elderly parents

just finished with this stuff and it was a long, hard-fought road. Mom had it the worst it seemed. My better half had something similar a week ago, but it only lasted a day or two. So far all I've gotten this "season" is some sort of upper respiratory thing that lingered in my head for a few weeks. I don't do vaccines of any kind, and I only get sick every couple years. Knock on wood.

[Batshit_Bruin_CA]

21. How to treat norovirus disease if you get it?

What OTC items should we have on hand?
best beverages to treat potential electrolyte disturbAnces and dehydration? And to prevent low blood sugar during the siege of vomiting and/or diarrhea?
My understanding is that a lot of family remedies aren't really that helpful?
What is best foods to begin eating once the symptoms subside? E.g. boiled rice and rice water. Bananas ? Applesauce? Broth? Campbells chicken noodle soup?

Really, I would like to know.
Once symptoms appear it's a bit late, and maybe not possible, to be running to the pharmacy with shopping list.

[CTyankee]

25. Wouldn't that be a question for your primary care provider?

[Jilly_in_VA]

27. I have had this stuff

and it is hell on earth. Idk where I got it, probably at the hospital where I was working at the time or maybe from Panera where I ate that evening. All I know is that I ended up lying on the floor on a pillow between the bedroom and the bathroom all night and into the next day. I was so sick I didn't think I'd make it. My now husband (we were courting then) came up and brought me Sprite, ginger ale, and chicken broth. Unfortunately, he carried it home with him and was sick as hell for several days too. Neither one of us wants to have it ever again.Just another reason for staying off cruise ships.