As a parent, hearing that a classmate has been sick can send a chill down your spine. “Tommy threw up during lunch today,” my son Lucas informed me, his face scrunched up in disbelief. “Gross!” While Lucas finds humor in such incidents, I know the harsh reality: it often means illness is on its way to my home. Immediately, I begin a mental checklist, ensuring I have a clean bucket and fresh towels on standby, especially for my young daughter who has yet to master the art of vomiting into a container.
It’s a known fact that when one child gets hit with the dreaded stomach bug, it’s typically not long before the rest of the family follows suit. And let’s be honest, as a mom, I know I’ll be the last one to catch it, a cruel twist of fate when it comes to the norovirus.
While I may not be a germ expert, I’ve become well-versed in the world of illnesses that plague children—primarily out of necessity. The more I learn about norovirus, the more horrified I become. Here are five unsettling truths about this virus that I wish I could un-know:
1. Transmission through Vomit or Feces
Yes, you read that correctly. You can contract norovirus by accidentally ingesting tiny particles of vomit or feces from an infected person. While no one intentionally consumes such substances, even minuscule droplets can carry the virus. This fact is particularly alarming when you consider how well children wash their hands—often not well enough.
2. Persistence on Surfaces
Norovirus is notoriously resilient, surviving on surfaces for up to two weeks. These germs cling to doorknobs, countertops, and especially areas like toilets and sinks, waiting to spread their mayhem. I’ve cleaned thoroughly after one child was sick only to find out a week later that my other child had fallen victim. Clearly, I must have missed a spot.
3. Infection Threshold
It takes fewer than 100 norovirus particles to make you sick, and one episode of vomiting can release billions of these particles. Just one uncleaned drop can lead to widespread sickness, making it alarmingly easy to catch.
4. Resistance to Cleaners
Think disinfecting with common cleaners will rid your home of norovirus? Think again. Most household cleaners fail to eliminate this stubborn bug; chlorine bleach is one of the few that can effectively tackle it.
5. Lingering in Stool
Even after symptoms subside, norovirus can remain in a person’s feces for days. I learned this the hard way after inviting a playmate over for my son—who had had loose stools post-vomiting—only to find out two days later that the friend was now ill. I felt awful and now avoid contact with anyone who has been sick for at least a week.
One silver lining, if you can call it that, is that most cases of norovirus are short-lived. While it’s a miserable experience, especially for younger children, it typically lasts just a day or two before life returns to normal.
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In summary, norovirus is a nasty little bug that spreads easily and can linger longer than you’d like. Staying informed is key to managing this unpleasant reality, especially when you have little ones running around.