Staying Safe from Norovirus

Norovirus is spiking in the United States, and from posts and comments, sounds hellish.

36 hours of fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and unrelenting pain in the abdomen and muscles. All I could do was lay in the empty bathtub and moan for the first 12 hours. Then I could lie in bed and moan for another 24 hours, only getting up to visit the toilet/trash can/both. I felt like I was going to die, and was so miserable I would have welcomed it. Even after ot passed, I felt wrung out for a week. And I was in my 20s! I can see how people with less physiologic reserve would indeed succumb to this awful virus. – Caitlin

Here’s what you need to know.

1. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers do nothing! Wash hands with soap and water regularly and especially before meals.
2. Avoid raw seafood like oysters.
3. Avoid pools.

In terms of prevention, you may want:

1. Some more soap (something with shea butter will help your hands).
2. Hand moisturizer to make up for all the hand washing.
3. UV bath for phone, etc.
4. HOCl for surfaces like sinks and doorknobs. (Bleach is more commonly recommended but HOCl is a safer alternative).
5. Stylus for touching public touchscreens.
6. Gloves for pumping gas, etc.
7. HOCl hand sanitizer (but hand washing is #1) plus some light safe spray bottles for dispensing.

In terms of preparation, you may want:

1. A prescription from your doctor (or Wisp) for Zofran (~$5).
2. Vomit bags.