ORLANDO, Fla. — The highly contagious norovirus is spreading in the United States and right here in Central Florida.
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“Norovirus is the sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhea,” Dr. Timothy Hendrix, the Medical Director for AdventHealth Centra Care, said.
“When it hits, it hits fast.”
The most recent numbers from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show there were 91 outbreaks of norovirus reported during the week of December 5th. That’s up from 69 outbreaks the last week of November.
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Numbers from the past few years show a maximum of 65 outbreaks reported during that first week of December.
Hendrix said while Centra Care doesn’t test specifically for the virus, they’re treating more patients with these symptoms.
The virus most commonly spreads within families, schools, and cruise ships.
“Anywhere we see people congregating, we’re going to see this spread,” Hendrix said. “The virus can persist on surfaces for days to weeks after being deposited on the surface.”
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Symptoms typically last for 24 to 48 hours.
Hendrix advised, whether you are sick or want to avoid getting sick, it’s back to the basics.
“You want to make sure you’re washing your hands, not touch a lot of surfaces, not touch your mouth or face, and stay home if you’re sick,” he said.
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Hendrix added Centra Care is also seeing an increase in influenza cases. He said those symptoms are completely different than norovirus.
Flu symptoms include fever, chills, cough, and sore throat.
Hendrix recommends a flu shot to prevent catching the influenza virus.
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