Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that typically occurs during the winter months (November to April).   

Cook Children’s Medical Center Fort Worth and Prosper has seen a 26% positivity rate of norovirus during the week of Feb. 22 to Feb. 28. Tarrant County Public Health maintains regular surveillance of norovirus. 

What parents should know about Norovirus: 

1. Norovirus can cause SEVERE vomiting and diarrhea. Treating children with fluids and monitoring for dehydration is critical. 

2. Norovirus is HIGHLY contagious by contact with another person with the virus, eating food that is contaminated or touching contaminated surfaces and putting your fingers in your mouth. Symptoms usually develop 1-2 days after you have been exposed. 

3. Prevent infection by washing food well, washing your hands with soap and water frequently and disinfecting contaminated surfaces. 

4. Monitor for the following signs of dehydration including: dry mouth or lips, decreased activity level or decreased urine. 

If you have had a child (or you have had) with norovirus, here is a cleaning plan to help “decontaminate” your house: 

• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently.
• Wear gloves for everything (diaper changes, cleaning and handling clothes).
• Clean all toys and surfaces with a bleach solution (5-10 tablespoons in 1 gallon of water).
• Wash laundry on the hottest, longest cycle available and machine dry. 

Related Stories: 

• What's going around: How to tell if it's strep, flu, rotavirus or norovirus
• Know When to Use Telemedicine, Urgent Care, or the ER for Kids 

Halley Hogan, M.D., a pediatrician at Cook Children’s newest location in Prosper, Texas, took some time to answer our questions about what’s going around.

What kind of bugs are you seeing in your office right now?

We’re seeing cases of Influenza B, norovirus and group A strep.

Is the flu season still in full swing or are we nearing the end? 

We are begining to see flu activity throughout the state of Texas. Flu activity will likely remain high for several more weeks.

What should parents know about the difference between the flu, norovirus and rotavirus? 

Norovirus is the virus that causes the “stomach bug.” It causes vomiting and diarrhea and can affect anyone.

Rotavirus most often affects infants and young children. It can cause fever, watery diarrhea and vomiting. What we worry about most with rotavirus is infants/young children becoming dehydrated. It is recommended that children get the rotavirus vaccine at 2 months, 4 months, and 6 months of age. Vaccinated kids are less likely to get sick from rotavirus and can have less severe symptoms if they do get rotavirus.

Flu is caused by the influenza virus. Flu affects the respiratory system, and can cause fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny/stuffy nose, body aches, headache, and fatigue.

With many schools back in session after spring break last week, what does that mean for these illnesses? Are kinds more at risk being in school?

Flu is spread when people with the virus talk, sneeze, or cough, sending flu droplets to the people close to them. It can also be spread by touching a surface that has flu virus on it and then touching your nose, mouth, or eyes. If you have the flu, you are contagious one day before symptoms start and up to 7 days after becoming sick.

Norovirus can also spread easily. Kids can get norovirus by sharing food or drinks with someone who is sick, or by touching surfaces contaminated with norovirus and then touching their mouths. You are most contagious with norovirus while you have vomiting/diarrhea, but you can still spread it for two weeks after you are better.

Many times, children with flu or norovirus return to school while they are still contagious and this increases the spread of these illnesses and can cause outbreaks in schools.

Are there any questions or concerns you’re hearing from parents?

Yes, parents often ask “How can we decrease the chances of siblings/other family members/friends getting the flu?”

The best way to decrease your risk of flu is getting the flu vaccine every year. It is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older. Wash your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub. Try not to touch your eyes, nose, and mouth. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands after.

Meet Halley Hogan, M.D., Prosper Trail's Pediatrician

 

Dr. Hogan was raised in the Dallas area. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry from SMU, she attended the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston for her medical degree. She then completed her pediatric residency at University of Texas Southwestern in Austin. Dr. Hogan is board certified by the American Board of Pediatrics and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dr. Hogan provides comprehensive health care to children of all ages. She has a passion for pediatrics and loves getting to know families, with the philosophy that providing the best primary care depends on developing personal relationships with her patients and their families. She has a special interest in preventative medicine and promoting healthy, happy childhoods for all children. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two young sons, as well as reading and traveling. Make an appointment with Dr. Hogan here. 

When these are the main complaints on my patient schedule, I know it’s probably norovirus time. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that each year norovirus causes 19 to 21 million illnesses, 56,000 to 71,000 hospitalizations and 570 to 800 deaths. Anyone can get infected with norovirus and you can get it more than once. It is estimated that a person will get norovirus about 5 times during their lifetime. Many people usually get sick with norovirus in cooler months, especially from November to April.

Here are 5 facts you need to know about norovirus:

1. Norovirus can cause SEVERE vomiting and diarrhea. Treating children with fluids and monitoring for dehydration is critical.

2. Norovirus is HIGHLY contagious by contact with another person with the virus, eating food that is contaminated or touching contaminated surfaces and putting your fingers in your mouth. Symptoms usually develop 1-2 days after you have been exposed.

3. Prevent infection by washing foods very well, washing your hands with soap and water frequently and disinfecting contaminated surfaces.

4. Norovirus “season” typically runs from November to April but it appears there are several cases popping up over the last month across the country and in North Texas.

5. Monitor for the following signs of dehydration including: dry mouth or lips, decreased activity level or decreased urine.

If you have had a child (or you have had) with norovirus, here is a cleaning plan to help “decontaminate” your house:

1. Wash your hands with soap and water frequently.

2. Wear gloves for everything (diaper changes, cleaning and handling clothes esp…).

3. Clean all toys and surfaces with a bleach solution (5-10 tablespoons in 1 gallon of water).

4. Wash laundry on the hottest, longest cycle available and machine dry.

Hopefully with these tips you can prevent norovirus from entering your home or at least stop the spread. If you have further questions, contact your Cook Children’s pediatrician.

About the author

Justin Smith is a pediatrician and the Medical Advisor for Digital Health for Cook Children's in Fort Worth, Texas. He has an active community on both Facebook and Twitter as @TheDocSmitty and writes weekly for Cook Children's checkupnewsroom.com. His interest in communications started when he realized that his parents were relying more on the internet for medical information. He believes that strategic use of social media and technology by pediatricians to connect with families can deepen their relationship and provide a new level of convenience for both of their busy lifestyles. Dr. Smith’s innovative pediatric clinic, a pediatric clinic “designed by you,” is set to open in Trophy Club in 2017.