Fit & Well: Norovirus cases on the rise

TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KMVT/KSVT) — With colder temperatures, people spend more time indoors and in close contact. With that comes the spread of illnesses like the norovirus, which has seen an uptick in many cases.

The norovirus is a highly contagious virus also known as the stomach bug. Symptoms can include diarrhea and vomiting, which can also cause dehydration in children and the elderly. The symptoms can typically last two to five days.

Martha Taylor, medical director for St. Luke’s Urgent Care, said the recent rise in cases differs from what they usually see.

“This one seems to be more severe, and in fact, the symptoms seem to be coming on faster, harder,” Taylor said. “And again, we can see patients for this upwards to a third of patients of a day. Sometimes, we have this here. We can treat sometimes with some nausea medicine; make them more comfortable with IV fluids in some cases. But again, there is no overt treatment for this outside of letting it run its course.”

To avoid infection, health experts recommend that you wash your hands often and also clean and disinfect surfaces. If you get sick, avoid gatherings, stay hydrated, and drink plenty of electrolytes.

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