Since the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, case numbers for infections like flu, Strep A, and RSV have escalated. In the midst of rising frequencies in diseases, norovirus was also one of them, infecting individuals of all ages throughout the United States and beyond. Norovirus is an extremely contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Although it is sometimes referred to as the “stomach flu” or the “stomach bug,” the illness is not related to influenza.
Deerfield Academy’s Director of Medical Services Dr. Bryant “Bear” Benson explained that Norovirus is one of many viruses that causes Gastroenteritis. Normally, this virus peaks every year in the winter during the months of January and February. There has been growing conversation about the spread of the virus on campus and around the world due to the recent growth in cases over the past few months. There were 91 reported cases in the week of December 5, while there were generally 65 or less outbreaks per week in the same period in previous years (CNN).
In response to increasing attention towards the norovirus, Dr. Benson said, “This is not brand new; we deal with this every year. It’s just this year, nationally, there’s more of it reported. That’s why it’s gotten more press.”
Government data shows that there has especially been a surge in parts of the United States this winter and as CBS News medical contributor states, is because of “large gatherings, people traveling, different generations of people together” (CBS). At Deerfield, congregations in confined settings are regularly held in forms of sit-down meals, hockey games, all-school meetings, dormitories, and more.
Most people with norovirus recover within one to three days, but they can still spread the virus through sharing contaminated food, water, or surfaces after their recovery. One usually experiences symptoms—diarrhea, nausea, stomach pain, fever, and headaches—12 to 48 hours after being exposed to the virus. Loss of body fluids, which leads to dehydration, is also a common outcome of being infected with norovirus, especially in younger children and the elderly. Dehydration can result in constant dizziness or perpetual sleepiness throughout the day.
Deerfield’s health center continues to follow standard precautions, including hand-washing, hand sanitizing, and using specific cleaning products for the health center’s maintenance. Norovirus, however, doesn’t respond well to hand sanitizer, and Dr. Benson shared, “My understanding is that most viruses have a fat-derived shell, but the Norovirus one is more protein-derived; it’s a hard shell versus a softer shell.” Hand-washing, then, is how Norovirus can be controlled. Since Norovirus is transmitted through fecal-oral transmission, proper hand-washing habits become important in removing the possibility of contamination. Dr. Benson finished with, “Wash your hands, that’s the big part.”
Deerfield students are encouraged to wash their hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds, avoid food and water that might be contaminated, and clean fruits and vegetables before eating them. That way, students can stay safe from Norovirus regardless of how tough it is to eliminate the virus given its strong endurance to high and low temperatures (Mayo Clinic Health System).
Math Teacher Andrew Fischer explained his experience with Norovirus, sharing, “I was really queasy, and I was feeling more and more nauseated.” He said that he asked people to cover his classes and stayed home; He said, “It was a day when I just needed to sleep and not smell anything, and not eat anything.” Two days into his exposure of Norovirus, he shared that his symptoms were gone. Now, after having it, Mr. Fischer said, “Since then, to avoid spreading and to avoid other people spreading it back to me, I’ve been really careful to serve food with the shared utensils and then go wash my hands.”
Regardless of the small number of students and faculty being infected by Norovirus at Deerfield, individuals should protect oneself and others, especially those in high-risk groups, from being exposed to the disease. Anyone can be infected with Norovirus, and it is possible to be infected with the virus multiple times throughout one’s life. However, following aforementioned precautions will decrease the risks of being infected by Norovirus.