About this topic
Norovirus are germs that infect your belly. It is found in vomit and stool. It is sometimes called the stomach flu. This illness has germs that are easy to spread. ‚
The signs may go away within 2 to 3 days. Treatment may be needed if your signs are very bad and cause fluid loss. This will include drugs to control the signs and steps to prevent fluid loss. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you understand everything the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Drink small amounts of fluid every 15 to 30 minutes. This is often simpler than drinking a large amount at one time. Good fluids to drink are water, sports drinks, and oral electrolyte solutions that you can buy at most supermarkets or drugstores.
- Avoid sharing your food and drinks.
- Stay away from others until your throwing up or loose stools have stopped.
- Follow good hygiene practices. Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 15 seconds. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers also work to kill germs. This is most important:
- After using the bathroom
- Before eating
- Before cooking
- Heat may help belly pain. Put a heating pad on your belly for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Never go to sleep with a heating pad on as this can cause burns.
- Stay in a cool room where you will not sweat. This may prevent more loss of fluid in your body.
- Suck on ice chips or popsicles to relieve throat pain after throwing up.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
Your doctor may not need to order drugs. Be sure to ask your doctor before you take any over-the-counter (OTC) or other drugs and treatments. ‚
If your signs are very bad or last for more than a few days, the doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Fight an infection
- Stop loose stools
- Lower fever
- Stop your throwing up
Do not take antibiotics. They are not used for an illness caused by viruses and may make your problem worse. ‚
Will physical activity be limited?
Your physical activity will not be limited. Make sure you get lots of rest. You may not be able to travel or go to work until the loose stools and throwing up have stopped for 24 hours. ‚
You can still spread germs to others after your signs have stopped, so you must wash your hands often. Take extra care if you cook or serve food for others. ‚
What changes to diet are needed?
- Take small sips of fluids often. Eat foods that have high water content like fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Avoid colored liquids such as soda, ginger ale, tea, fruit juice, and drinks with caffeine. These can make fluid loss worse. Ask your doctor what foods and drinks are safe for you.
- Eat bland foods. These include toast, crackers, bananas, rice, chicken, and potatoes.
- Avoid fatty and sugary foods such as cakes, chocolates, ice cream, and take out foods.
- Stay away from foods that may make your belly ache worse like citrus fruits and spicy foods.
What problems could happen?
Fluid loss ‚
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Avoid close contact with people who have this illness.
- Clean things and surfaces in your home like door handles and phones. Use bleach to clean the area. This can help lower the spread of germs.
- Do not share personal things like toothbrushes, towels, and drinking glasses.
- Take extra care when traveling. Drink bottled water only and do not eat raw foods.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of fluid loss. These include dark-colored urine or no urine for more than 8 hours, dry mouth and tongue, dry skin, sunken eyes, lack of energy, feeling faint, or passing out.
- More problems with your belly. These include upset belly, very bad belly pain, more throwing up, and not able to keep fluids down.
- Blood in stool or very bad loose stools
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how and when to wash my hands to avoid passing the infection to others.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet and fluids.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have belly pain, more throwing up, bloody stools, or feel confused or dizzy.
Where can I learn more?
Food Safety ‚
http://www.foodsafety.gov/poisoning/causes/bacteriaviruses/norovirus/index.html ‚
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/norovirus/Pages/Introduction.aspx ‚
Public Health Agency of Canada ‚
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/fs-sa/fs-fi/norovirus-eng.php ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚