Eau Claire Fights Back Against Norovirus

As the weather gets colder, many people expect to catch the flu. But there's another bug making the rounds: norovirus. Yes, it's here in Eau Claire County! Kristy Polden, a public health nurse, recently handled a big outbreak in our community. Even UW-Eau Claire had a two-day norovirus party in December, as Mike Knuth, the university spokesperson, confirmed. So, what's the deal with this stomach flu? It hits fast and hard with nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Megan Meller, an infection specialist at Gundersen Health System, warns that the main worry is dehydration from all that liquid loss. And here's a fun fact: norovirus is one of the top causes of food poisoning in the US.Don't rely on hand sanitizer to protect you. It's soap and water for at least 15 seconds that'll do the trick. Norovirus spreads like wildfire, especially if you're touching surfaces or food after using the bathroom. To clean up, use EPA-approved disinfectants. Homemade stuff like vinegar won't cut it with this tough bug. There's no magic pill to get rid of norovirus, sadly. You just have to tough it out. But the good news? You should start feeling better within a day or three.