Posted by Stomach virus spreads quickly in Southwest Florida
By
WINK News
Story Created:
Mar 11, 2010 at 1:32 AM EST
Story Updated:
Mar 11, 2010 at 1:32 AM EST
FORT MYERS, FL – Florida is seeing a big increase in the number of people getting sick from Norovirus. It’s a highly infectious bug that causes vomiting, fever and serious stomach pains.
Just ask Matt Palmateer. The normally active 31 year old believes the virus kept him running between his bedroom and bathroom for two days. “I woke up and I immediately had to vomit,” said Palmateer. “It felt like I got hit with a truck.”
This was no truck; Palmateer was likely hit by the Norovirus. The illness is quickly making its way through Southwest Florida. Epidemiologist Dr. Robert South says symptoms usually last between 24 to 72 hours. “It gives you nausea, vomiting and explosive diarrhea.”
The Florida State Health Department has seen a 50 percent increase in the number of cases.
South says the Norovirus spreads quickly because it’s actually more contagious than many other illnesses. Germs can hide on phones, computer keyboards, door knobs, and — as gross as it sounds — in the smell of an infected person’s vomit. “If you smell the vomitous odor, you’ve probably picked enough particles to make you ill,” said South.
Close contact means the illness is a particular threat to schools. Across the state, clusters of students have gotten sick. In Southwest Florida, the problem is in nursing homes. Seventeen facilities have reported outbreaks and four have temporarily stopped accepting new patients until the Norovirus passes.
The best way to keep yourself healthy? “Wash your hands,” says Dr. South. “It’s the number one thing you can do to stop 90 percent of illnesses.
