January 8, 2005
KTTC-TV
USA - It may feel like the flu, but make no mistake there's a virus going around that is not influenza.
Remember the cruise ship illness--the Norwalk virus? Well it's come ashore and is even hitting people in our area. Public Health officials tell us that this is the time of year for gastroenteritis sometimes referred to as the stomach flu but a flu shot will not work on this illness.
Some families in Olmsted County recently came down with common symptoms. They were found to have contracted the Norovirus. Unfortunately, no one has immunity and you can get it over and over again. Norovirus symptoms usually begin 24 to 48 hours after ingestion of the bug.
The most common symptoms are severe vomiting and diarrhea. It doesn't last long, usually 12 to 60 hours but the symptoms come on suddenly. It's commonly mistaken as food poisoning because of how quickly it comes on. The number one way to prevent getting it is good, old-fashioned hand washing especially before you eat and most importantly, after you use the restroom.
Keep in mind; flu symptoms usually start with head or chest congestion, followed by a runny nose, cough and all-over machines. There's also a fever many times with the flu, these however are not symptoms of the Norovirus. Drinking plenty of fluids is also recommended.
http://www. msnbc. msn. com/id/6789926/