By Donna Westfall – May 21, 2017 – If you experience any type of nausea, vomiting, stomach pain/cramps, watery or loose diarrhea. malaise. low-grade fever with muscle pain you may be infected with the norovirus.  The symptoms can last from 1 to 2 days.  Since there’s currently an epidemic in YOLO County that has affected nearly 1,000 students, teachers and staff in 32 schools, it’s best to know how to avoid it.

The norovirus is highly contagious.  It spreads by coming into contact with people who have the virus, contaminated food or drink, as well as touching surfaces that are contaminated with the virus.  Disinfect, disinfect, disinfect.

The norovirus cannot be treated with antibiotics since it’s a viral infection not bacterial. If you get it, remember to drink plenty of fluids.

Norovirus is also known as food poisoning. If you’ve ever had it, you never want it again.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), in 2012, leafy vegetables, fruits/nuts, and mollusks were named as the most common sources of food borne norovirus outbreaks, and infected food handlers are thought to be the source of contamination in at least half of reported outbreaks.  Of norovirus outbreaks involving foods prepared in commercial settings, 62% occurred in restaurants or delicatessens, 11% via a catering service, and 4% at a grocery store. A food handler was identified as the contamination source in 53% of the outbreaks.

Frequent hand washing and utilizing gloves decreases the chances of contamination and infection.

In Yolo County, they are asking infected people to stay indoors for at least 48 hours.