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Infections from astrain of drug-resistant shigella bacteria are on the rise in what the Centers forDisease Control and Prevention describes as a potentially serious public health concern. "When people say that they have 'stomach flu,' referring to a short illness with diarrhea and/or vomiting, what they generally have is a norovirus infection," Saupe said. Dr. Robert Atmar, a professor of medicine and infectious diseases expert at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, said he suspects the increase in outbreaks may be a reflection of loosened Covid mitigation strategies nationwide. Norovirus can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, body aches, a general run-down feeling and a mild fever. If youre suffering from an upset stomach, you might be wondering if COVID-19 is to blame. For general inquiries, please use our contact form. National Institutes of Health, U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus. Vomiting. As it turns out, a Covid test is the only way to determine if that pesky stomach bug is actually a BA.2 infection. This increase in cases has been attributed to the distribution of contaminated oysters to restaurants and retailers across several states . The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says food contaminated with norovirus may look, smell and taste normal. Sometimes called a "stomach bug" or "stomach flu" though it's not related to the flu norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States, causing between 19 million and 21 million cases of infectious vomiting and diarrhea each year. Previously, she was a writer, producer and editor at CNN. Thank you for your patience as we continue to update our new website. It's an inflammation of the stomach and intestines caused by a viral infection. Medical Xpress is a web-based medical and health news service that is part of the renowned Science X network. Plus, with decreased mask mandates and a vaccine for the under 5 age group still in the works, community spread is still a looming concern. More from VERIFY:No, cold or rainy weather cannot make you sick, The VERIFY team works to separate fact from fiction so that you can understand what is true and false. When kids experience stomach problems, you should seek medical attention if there are any signs or symptoms of dehydration, such as lack of urination for six hours or more in an infant or young child, says Scott. If you feel you have received this message in error, please contact the customer support team at 1-833-248-7801. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Ron Kohler, the owner of the Baby House and Northwest Day School, said a number of illnesses, including the stomach bug, have gone through their classrooms as they've eased their restrictions. Genes & Diseases, 8(4), 385400. Norovirus illnesses are not "stomach flu," Health Department officials say, because there is no relation to respiratory influenza, which is the real flu. See. Please select the most appropriate category to facilitate processing of your request, Optional (only if you want to be contacted back). Kristina Duda, BSN, RN, CPN, has been working in healthcare since 2002. What happens inside your body when you have a stomach bug? If its the bacterial form of gastroenteritis and people become seriously ill, get the bacteria in their bloodstream, have an underlying illness or are immunocompromised, antibiotics may be an option, but theyre reserved for very severe cases, Vinetz said. Meanwhile, 448 norovirus outbreaks were reported in the U.S. from Aug. 1, 2021, to March 5, 2022, according to the agency. While respiratory symptoms are still a concern, symptoms of BA.2 may also look eerily similar to a stomach bug. Norovirus infection causes acute gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines). This is likely due to the fact that we've been lifting COVID restrictions. COLORADO The FDA is watching a rise in cases of norovirus, the highly contagious stomach bug that is the leading cause of food-borne illnesses in the United States. For vomiting and diarrhea, Scott suggests several measures to prevent dehydration and give comfort, including sipping clear fluids (Pedialyte, diluted electrolyte drinks such as Gatorade, and broth) and taking anti-nausea or vomiting medication as recommended by your doctor. In 2022, approximately 5% of shigellosis infections were drug-resistant, or XDR, up from zero reported instances of resistant infections in 2015, according to the CDC. Explore factsheets, infographics, podcasts, posters, videos, and web widgets. Norovirus illness is commonly called other names such as viral gastroenteritis, stomach flu, and food poisoning. there is an increase in postnasal drainage . TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - ProMedica Urgent Care for Kids says it is seeing a large number of children with a stomach bug caused by the common Norovirus . Published 2019 Jul 11. doi:10.14744/SEMB.2019.80217. The norovirus intestinal illness has been reported in Minnesota, state health officials said Tuesday. Even though it's sometimes called a stomach . 1/3 cup of bleach per gallon of water for non-porous surfaces such as tile floors, counter-tops, sinks, and toilets. Medical Xpress is a part of Science X network. 2022 The Charlotte Observer. Learn More . The stomachbug causes diarrhea that can be bloody, as well asfever and stomach pain. The general advice is: If youre not better after a couple of days, go see a doctor, he noted. When people think they have the stomach flu or a stomach bug, it's probably norovirus, the agency added. Viruses, bacteria, and parasites in the digestive tract. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, particularly after using the bathroom and before preparing food. Cruise ships, nursing homes, daycare centers and schools are common breeding grounds for norovirusanywhere large numbers of people are packed in close quarters, basically, reports the CDC. The number of weekly norovirus outbreaks rose from below 10 in early January to above 50 in early March 2022, data reported to the CDC show. Published: Mar. But if people aren't washing their hands or disinfecting surfaces as frequently, it's not surprising that germs like the norovirus are taking full advantage. Clin Microbiol Rev. A stomach bug is really an infectious diarrhea, so that's a main symptom of gastroenteritis. The CDC tracks norovirus outbreaks reported by 12 state health departments. The CDC also tracks flu vaccine data in special populations: 3. The symptoms then gradually decrease as you get better. It's actually gastroenteritis, an inflammation commonly caused by an infection like norovirus. Acute gastroenteritis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many people know about the condition in the context of the highly-contagious norovirus, which is often behind outbreaks on cruise ships. Bacterial gastroenteritis. The data is based on reports from state health departments in Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. So, the new variant expressing itself with symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea makes sense. "This is a concern that there might be cases that won't be so easy to treat," Glatt said. Some people in states throughout the U.S. have also contracted norovirus by eating contaminated food, though CDC data show this is usually a less common way of contracting the virus. It is not the same as the flu (influenza). Climate change sparks fungi fears, What to know about Marburg virus: WHO confirmsoutbreak. People with norovirus are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill to anywhere from 3 days to 2 weeks after they have recovered. Oysters that are potentially contaminated have been distributed to more than a dozen U.S. states, and its possible that additional states received them, too. This is consistent with a new report from the CDC that the norovirus, the germ responsible for the stomach flu, has been increasingly active since January. Influenza (flu): Misconceptions about flu vaccines. Read our. National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Of those,88% reported male-to-male sexual contact. Depending on the cause, stomach flu can linger for up to 10 days. Stomach bugs are often caused by viruses. Common symptoms of the stomach bug include fever, abdominal distress, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is a respiratory virus. An organization or individual has paid for the creation of this work but did not approve or review it. In medical terms, the flu (influenza) is a common viral respiratory infection. Gastroenteritis also leads to other symptoms that include: A stomach bug generally comes on suddenly and hits hard. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. It's an illness that can come on abruptly, and cause rather dramatic nausea, diarrhea or both in people, and often remits just as quickly in 24 to 48 hours, he added. 22, 2022 at 5:08 PM PDT. The infection is characterized by sudden onset of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping. If you are pregnant, immunocompromised, over age 65, or recently hospitalized or on antibiotics, you should contact your healthcare provider for advice. By Kristina Duda, RN Sisli Etfal Hastan Tip Bul. National Institutes of Health. But even though the term covers a host of unpleasant symptoms and the illness can be caused by a virus, theres actually no influenza involved. J Prev Med Hyg. Handle soiled items carefully, without agitating them, to avoid spreading virus. Anyone can get norovirus, and can have the illness multiple times in their lifetime. Croup cases continued and the number of stomach bug cases went up this week. If you do see a healthcare provider, they may diagnose gastroenteritis just from the symptoms and circumstances you describe. For most of the U.S., roughly 99.5%, it isn't recommended to wear a mask indoors in public because of low or medium COVID-19 Community Level as of March 31, the CDC says. He . In some cases, fluids may need to be given intravenously. It's also unlikely that what you think of as a "24-hour bug" will always resolve that quickly, and when symptoms last longer than that you should call your healthcare provider. Protecting against this Covid variant are the same measures as recommended for other variants, Scott tells Romper. COVID-19 symptoms can include diarrhea, nausea or vomiting. When describing a stomach bug, "flu" is a misnomer. Doctors have "limitedantimicrobialtreatment" options for people infected with the XDR strain, which can resist more commonly-used antibiotics such asazithromycin, ciprofloxacinor ceftriaxone. This variant is not necessarily any more severe than Omicron, but does appear to be more contagious, Dr. Denise Scott, a pediatrician and pediatric endocrinologist, tells Romper via email. During the same time period in 2021-2022, the states reported 448 norovirus outbreaks. Yes, eating saltine crackers can help to prevent dehydration and maintain electrolytes in your body.Mashed potatoes, bananas, and broths are other foods that may help with symptoms. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers (containing at least 62% ethanol) may be a helpful addition to hand washing, but they are not a substitute for washing with soap and water. The number of outbreaks reported so far in 2021-2022 is also below the range reported during the same time period over the previous eight years, the public health agency says. Norovirus outbreaks can affect anyone, anywhere. You might feel like you have a stomach bug or like you ate some bad food. The virus causes the stomach or intestines, or both, to get inflamed. If you do not allow these cookies we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance. This very common condition can be caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites. COVID-19 hospitalizations hit record low in US, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some recommended strengths are: 1 tablespoon of bleach per gallon of water for stainless steel, food/mouth contact items, and toys. "Battling norovirus while nursing my sick daughter. Parasites - giardia. In most cases, theres no specific treatment other than supporting the body as it gets through the illness over one or two days. You may hear norovirus illness be called food poisoning, stomach flu, or stomach bug. Noroviruses are the leading cause of foodborne illness, but other germs and chemicals can also cause foodborne illness. But now experts fear there could be many more cases than usual as the winter weather continues and the freedoms enjoyed pre-covid pandemic are enjoyed once more. Antibiotics can be prescribed to help clear up a bacterial or parasitic infection that's caused the gastroenteritis. But another common virus could be causing your symptoms. In fact, between last August and March of this year, there were nearly 448 norovirus outbreaks recorded in 12 different states including Massachusetts, compared to only 78 outbreaks the year before. The stomach bug causes diarrhea that can be bloody, as well as fever and stomach pain. Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. (2021). Norovirus illness is not related to the flu, which is caused by influenza virus. Definition & facts for viral gastroenteritis (stomach flu). is the primary mode of transmission, with the following also playing a role: Symptoms may last for just a day or two, or they may continue for more than a week. Masking, for example, is no longer required in most areas of the country. Symptoms can last up to three days and can also include headaches, fever, and body aches in some people. The Covid vaccine does offer protection, yet children remain the least vaccinated group and those under 5 years of age have not yet been approved for the vaccine.. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. When a person feels a stomach flu coming on, theres some misery ahead. "No one likes to get vomiting, diarrhea and stomach aches, especially during the holidays," Saupe said. We see that you have javascript disabled. The gastrointestinal distress many people are describing is actually gastroenteritis in its viral form, the second most common illness in the U.S., according to the National Library of Medicine. However, they're ineffective against viruses that commonly cause infection. For. Your feedback is important to us. ST. PAUL It is just what people want to hear at the holidays: A new strain of what many call "stomach flu" has arrived. Norovirus can spread rapidly in closed environments like dormitories, daycare centers, prisons, cruise ships, and nursing homes. Though norovirus outbreaks have increased in recent months, levels have been lower than normal during the COVID-19 pandemic, a CDC spokesperson told VERIFY. Individual cases of RSV are not reportable in Florida. Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. IE 11 is not supported. The most common symptoms are watery diarrhea, explosive projectile vomiting (that shoots out), and stomach pain. That comes out to around 21 million norovirus infections each year. These include wearing masks especially in crowds or public places, avoiding crowds, physical distancing, frequent hand washing, and vaccination.. Norovirus can survive in the environment for long periods of time. But sugary drinks, like sodas and fruit juices, can make diarrhea worse, while alcohol or caffeinated drinks can speed dehydration. 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