Everything You Never Knew about the Dreaded Stomach Flu

Getting sick is always a miserable experience, but the stomach flu, also known as the norovirus, pops up this time of year to add insult to injury. The 2017 January through March stomach flu season has proven to be about normal, with reports of the illness spreading around the country like wildfire. If you haven’t fallen victim to the stomach flu yet, keep your fingers crossed that you can remain so lucky.

What Causes the Stomach Flu?
The stomach flu is also known as the winter vomiting bug or the norovirus. It’s highly contagious and very easy to spread through close contact with people or surfaces who are already contaminated with the virus. Preschools and childcare centers, nursing homes, hotels, and cruise ships are notorious for causing the norovirus to spread rapidly. Since the norovirus is actually enclosed by a structure that makes it immune to alcohol, common hand sanitizers and cleaners cannot kill it. This is why restaurants are required to use bleach to clean surfaces.

What Should You Expect From the Stomach Flu?

Within 12 to 48 hours after you have been exposed to the virus, you will most likely experience diarrhea, vomiting, muscle pain, and a low grade fever. It can be a downright terrible experience, especially if you also suffer from the flu, or influenza, at the same time. If you experience frequent diarrhea and vomiting, you could become dehydrated unless you drink enough water. You most likely won’t be up to eating anything while you are ill, but keep a water bottle close by.

How Long Are You Contagious?

Unfortunately, just like with the regular flu, you can still spread the stomach flu after you feel back to normal. This means you might return to work or send your child back to school, only to accidentally infect many others. It’s best to take a day or two off, if possible, after you’ve been sick to minimize your chances of spreading the disease.

Good news is on the horizon! Vaccines are currently being developed to minimize the spread of the norovirus every year. With any luck, this unfortunate illness will become a thing of the past.