Earlier this month, Irving Elementary School in Middlesex County, New Jersey was closed due to an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness. The school underwent a deep clean before classes reopened.
“It's incredibly contagious,” said Dr. Alfred Sacchetti of Virtua Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital. “Just one particle of norovirus you ingest will make you sick.”
He says these viruses spread easily, especially among children. He also says that gastrointestinal viruses tend to resist the hand sanitizers that many rely on for washing.
“Purel and alcohol-based products don't get past the virus envelope and it's still contagious on your hands,” Sacchetti said. “Soap and water is the only thing that will really protect you from this.”
Doctors say one of the biggest things to watch out for with these illnesses is dehydration.
While many people deal with these awful symptoms at home, if you can't keep fluids down and are very lethargic, you may want to get checked out.
