How to avoid getting sick during stomach flu season

Norovirus — also known as the stomach bug or flu — is circulating across the province, according to Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services, but one doctor says there are ways to avoid getting sick.

Symptoms of norovirus include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. The virus can spread quickly in group settings like schools, and is common during the winter months. 

After catching the virus, symptoms can appear quickly — within one to two days, said Dr. Itali Malkin.

"Thankfully, most people recover within a few days," said Malkin.

Malkin said NLHS noticed a significant number of cases in schools, and sent out a bulletin last week warning the public.

He said it can be confusing to know when to go back to school or work after getting sick, because you can be infectious even after symptoms subside. 

NLHS recommends staying home for the duration of the symptoms and then for two days after. 

That's because you can still shed the living virus in bodily fluids, Malkin says.

"Whether it was vomiting and diarrhea, or just regular stool," he said, "that means you can still transmit."

The best way to protect yourself from the virus is to wash your hands with warm water and soap, especially before eating and after touching common surfaces, said Malkin.

The virus can spread from person to person easily. For example, you can get it by shaking hands with a sick person, or by touching a doorknob that they also touched and then eating food with the same hand you used to turn the doorknob. 

Malkin also said it's a good idea to wash fruits and vegetables, and cook food appropriately to avoid catching viruses. 

Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.