FORT MYERS, Fla. (CONSUMER REPORTS) As many as 21 million Americans get sick from the norovirus each year.
The virus often causes stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, and it spreads quickly in confined spaces, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s often mistakenly called the stomach flu, but it’s not related to influenza, Consumer Reports medical advisor Dr. Orly Avitzur said.
So what should you do to avoid it? Here are a few tips:
- Wash your hands with soap and hot water for at least 30 seconds, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers or handling food.
- Wash linens, towels and clothes that might have been contaminated.
- If someone in your home has gotten sick with norovirus, disinfect contaminated surfaces with 5 to 25 tablespoons of household bleach per gallon of water.