PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The CDC said the highly contagious stomach bug is spreading across the country with the Northeast currently having the highest number of cases.
South Jersey and parts of Pennsylvania are seeing cases norovirusthe gastrointestinal bug causes unpleasant symptoms and can be dangerous for some.
Stomach is estimated to infect about 20 million Americans each year, causing nearly half a million emergency room visits annually, many of them young children.
According to the CDC, the northeastern region of the USA currently has the highest norovirus positivity rate.
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“It's a very contagious virus, very contagious,” said Dr. Dodi Iannaco, who is at Virtua Health in South Jersey. “In the last two to three weeks we have seen more cases.”
Norovirus is a known problem on cruise ships, but it can spread anywhere easily, through contact with an infected person, ingesting contaminated food or water, or by touching surfaces with the virus and then touching your mouth.
It is also airborne.
“You can breathe it in and you can get sick that way, too,” Iannaco said.
Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain.
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“If someone is really tired, really lethargic, really tired, can't keep fluids down, then it's a good idea to come to the emergency room for evaluation,” Iannaco said. “Dehydration is the biggest risk and that will really show in a change in your energy level.”
The elderly and the very young are most at risk for the worst cases.
The best prevention is hand washing. Doctors said viruses tend to resist hand sanitizers, so soap and water is best.
Because the virus can be spread through food, the CDC also said you should wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly and be sure to thoroughly cook foods like shellfish.
