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Ah the joys of Christmas, you meet up with the family, enjoy some festive food and drinks and like clockwork, illness comes. So many people get sick at Christmas, new germs, stress from the year, relaxing and letting your immune system become an infection magnet. This year my brother contracted the teeth chattering Noravirus. Let me take you on a viral knowledge trip so you can avoid spreading this contagious tummy blaster.
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus causing gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. This leads to intense symptoms such as:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Stomach pain
- Fever
- Headache
- Body aches
It’s often referred to as the “stomach flu,” although it’s not related to influenza. It is spread through droplets, kissing, sharing food and any activitie with close contact to people. Taking measure to fight it early gives you the best chances in quicker recovery times. Norovirus is generally not life threatening but symptoms can leave you feeling like death. Norovirus comes on quickly with symptoms subsiding in around 3 days.
Natural Management and Supportive Care:
1. Hydration:
The primary natural treatment for norovirus is staying hydrated. The body loses fluids through diarrhea and vomiting, so replenishing with water, broths, or oral rehydration solutions (ORS) is crucial. It can be hard to drink fluids when feeling so poorly but it can help dramatically.
2. Probiotics:
These can help maintain gut health. Research suggests that probiotics can be beneficial in managing diarrhea and might shorten the duration of symptoms. It is also woth taking them after you are feeling better if you don't usually have them. They will stock up the good bacteria and help build immunity for future infections.
3. Diet:
Once able to eat, start with bland, easy-to-digest foods like the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast). Ginger root is also amazing if you can stomach it.
4. Mint and Ginger:
Herbs like mint and ginger may help ease nausea. Ginger has been researched for its antiemetic (anti sickness) properties.
5. Zinc:
There is some evidence that zinc supplementation can be beneficial for children with gastroenteritis to reduce the duration and severity of illness.
Preventive Measures:
Isolate, when this kicks in you won't be feeling very sociabal. Get the things you need and rest, rest, rest, plus a good dose of sleep.
Handwashing:
Soap and water are more effective than hand sanitizers at removing norovirus particles.
Disinfect surfaces with a bleach-based household cleaner.
Avoid contaminated food and water and properly cook seafood.
These natural remedies are supportive, not curative. Norovirus infection typically resolves on its own within a few days. The mainstay of treatment is supportive care, particularly hydration. If someone is unable to stay hydrated, has blood in their stool, seems particularly lethargic, or has an underlying health condition that could be worsened by the virus (like kidney disease or a compromised immune system), they should seek medical advice promptly.
Takeaway:
Research into natural treatments often employs small sample sizes or may not be entirely conclusive. In the case of probiotics, for example, while positive outcomes have been observed, the exact strains and dosages for the optimal effect against norovirus are still being studied. Therefore, it's best to combine these approaches with
guidance from healthcare professionals.
The information provided here does not replace professional medical advice. It’s important to consult with a healthcare provider for personal health concerns and before starting any new treatment. But the more we know the better the chances we have of not getting it at all. My brother came out of his room today after 4 days in bed. A little groggy but on the mend. So back to the festivities for the last few days.
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