Doctors see an uptick in Norovirus cases in northeast Wisconsin

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WFRV) – Whereas it’s frequent this time of yr, docs throughout the state say they’re seeing an uptick within the extremely contagious Norovirus.

“It’s fairly quick on and fairly quick off,” stated Dr. Jeff Pothof with UW Well being. “Individuals will often immediately have nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, generally abdomen cramps, and sometimes a low-grade fever.”

Due to how contagious it’s it may be problematic, particularly for teams like kids. An outbreak just lately occurred at a college in Appleton.

“Usually it’s unclean fingers that are available contact with the stool or vomit after which touches surfaces,” Dr. Pothof stated. “It’s when another person touches that floor after which touches their face or mouth after which, in flip, turn out to be contaminated.”

The virus additionally lives on surfaces for a very long time and might survive each heat and chilly temperatures, Dr. Pothof added. One of many solely methods to kill it’s to sanitize the world with one thing like a disinfectant wipe.

Signs often develop inside 12 to 48 hours after being uncovered.

“It will get consideration as a result of you’ll be able to have dozens of instances at one time after which it form of goes away. We’re nonetheless seeing instances simply not out the outbreak stage,” he stated.

One other main concern is dehydration. The Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention says signs embrace a dry mouth or throat, together with feeling dizzy when standing up.

“To remain out of the hospital, you wish to take small quantities of fluids, like water, however small quantities solely and regularly,” Dr. Pothof stated.

In kids, search for issues like crying with few or no tears. In addition they tend to be overly drained or usually fussy, the CDC stated.

There’s not a lot that docs can do to deal with the virus. Dr. Pothof stated it often runs its course in a single to a few days.