With the
anticipation and planning that goes into a vacation, a traveler’s worst
nightmare is to become sick away from home. You have been looking forward to it
for months, you are all packed, board the plane, register at the hotel and do
some sightseeing. After dinner that night, you begin to experience the telltale
signs of gastro-distress. Norovirus is a small virus that is highly contagious
between humans, acquired by ingesting small amounts of feces or fluids that can
contaminate food or water during handling and processing.
Norovirus
is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in the U.S., with infected people
usually experiencing vomiting, watery diarrhea, or both. Some people may call
this the stomach flu, but it is unrelated to the influenza virus. Of the 21
million cases of infection in the U.S., a quarter of them are related to
foodborne illness. Outbreaks happen year-round, but occur more often in the
winter months.
While
there is no specific treatment, it is important for infected people to stay
well hydrated. Lasting two to three days, it usually resolves by itself.
However, complications from dehydration can be dangerous for young children and
the elderly. Because of the highly contagious nature of the virus, it is critical
for caretakers to wash their hands whenever they come into contact with the
infected person or their environment. Proper hand hygiene can minimize
outbreaks from happening in the first place, especially in hospitals and
nursing homes.
With a
short incubation period, most people start feeling symptoms within a day of
ingesting contaminated food or water, including abdominal cramping, stomach
pain, and a general feeling of tiredness, headache, and muscle aches. People
are usually thirsty but may have trouble keeping fluids down. If they are
unable to replace their fluids and develop signs of dehydration, they need to
seek medical care.
Traveling
to far away places and staying healthy requires planning, preparation and
vigilance. Before you go, it may be a good idea to research where to find
medical care in the event of an illness. If traveling to an undeveloped
country, avoid drinking tap water (including ice). Safe beverages include
boiled or bottled water, for example. Safe foods include thoroughly cooked
fruits, vegetables and meats, or fruits with a thick covering (like bananas)
that have been washed in safe water and that you peel yourself. If you do get
sick, it is important to stay hydrated. With preparation and vigilance, you can
see the world and enjoy it too.
