Many Minnesota parents are blurry-eyed, sleep deprived, and running their washing machines non-stop. It is stomach bug season. Yes, this is the time of year the nasty norovirus rears its ugly head. For many parents, it means being up all night (and day) with a child non-stop vomiting only to succumb to the highly contagious virus.
The norovirus is hitting the U.S. hard this year with the Midwest and Minnesota experiencing the worst of it.
Young children and older people are the most vulnerable to serious complications from the infection, leading to 100,000 hospitalizations and 900 deaths annually. What’s worse? The norovirus is incredibly contagious and relatively resistant to alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Seems like a losing battle, right? It’s important to know that most people recover on their own without doctor care.
At The Urgency Room, we’re seeing patients of all ages with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain, symptoms that characterize norovirus and its most dangerous side-effect: dehydration. Patients are coming in feeling beyond lousy and many are in need of IV fluids, which are available at The Urgency Room.
Here are a few other points to keep in mind when battling the norovirus:
- When a young child has norovirus, they are more likely to get dehydrated than an adult or older child. It’s important to push small, frequent sips of water or electrolyte-replenishing beverages like Pedialyte®, even if your child is still vomiting. Some children don’t like the taste of Pedialyte and a sports drink or apple juice mixed half and half with water may be better tolerated ***never recommend water for rehydration to an infant***
- Infants can become dehydrated quickly. Continue to offer formula or breast milk and check in with your doctor or come to the Urgency Room if they are experiencing diarrhea or vomiting.
- To prevent dehydration, make sure to drink plenty of liquids, especially water and rehydrating beverages to replace lost fluids and electrolytes. Older children can sip water, coconut water, sports drinks and suck on an ice pop. Avoid sugary drinks, which can make diarrhea worse, as well as caffeinated beverages, which can dehydrate you further.
Symptoms of dehydration include:
- Decreased urination or very dark urine
- Very dry skin
- Dizziness
- Rapid heartbeat or breathing
- Sunken eyes
- Dry cracked lips or a dry mouth
- Sleepiness, lack of energy, confusion or irritability or fussiness
- Crying without tears
- Inability to keep any liquids down
- Fainting
Come to The Urgency Room (Vadnais Heights, Eagan and Woodbury) or Call Your Doctor If:
- You notice signs of dehydration in your child
- If your child’s vomit is green or yellow, that could be a sign of a bowel obstruction.
- Bloody diarrhea.
- Significant abdominal pain
- Sterilization is key: Make sure to wash sheets in hot water, and wipe down bathroom and high-traffic surfaces — doorknobs, remote controls, light switches and the like — with a bleach-based cleaner. Wash hands with soap and water because, as mentioned, hand sanitizer does not kill the Norovirus.
It’s important to prevent the virus when it is rampant, typically November through April, though it can crop up year-round. Hopefully you and your family can avoid catching the virus this year. If you’re not so lucky know for most, norovirus is somewhat short-lived meaning, this too, shall pass.
Dr. Matticks is the Medical Director of The Urgency Room, which has three Twin Cities locations in Eagan, Woodbury, and Vadnais Heights. Learn more at: www.urgencyroom.com.
