ATLANTA — A sickness that must feel as awful as it sounds: It’s known as the “winter vomiting bug” and it’s spreading.
Channel 2 Action News looked into the numbers and found that norovirus is hitting a lot of people in Georgia.
“We’re seeing it all over. And certainly the metro area is not immune to the norovirus,” said Dr. Danny Branstetter with Wellstar Health System. “The good news is, it lasts for just a few days, maybe one day for some people. But the important thing is prevention.”
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Norovirus may be known as the stomach flu; however, it’s not related to the flu, but it’s rather an inflammation of the stomach, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Norovirus causes sudden vomiting and diarrhea. Each year, the CDC says there are about 2,500 norovirus outbreaks reported in the U.S.
Branstetter says washing your hands is just the first step in staying healthy.
“Hand hygiene is prevention,” he said. “If someone in your family has norovirus, make sure you wipe down surfaces because that’s where we pick it up on hands. Somebody touches one object and somebody follows behind them and it’s real easy to get.”
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Make sure you wash your hands with soap and water as the CDC says hand sanitizers don’t really work against the norovirus.
So wash your hands, then clean and disinfect surfaces.
If you do get the norovirus, Branstetter says to try to stay hydrated and look for electrolyte supplements like Pedialyte. Check with your doctor if you have underlying health complications.
[ Norovirus: What is it, how to prevent getting sick? ]
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