A high school in Foshan, Guangdong province, is dealing with a major health scare after more than 100 students are affected with norovirus. The school, Xinghui Senior High, confirmed the cluster of cases on Saturday. Local health teams were sent in immediately to figure out how it spread and to start deep-cleaning the campus.
Officials from the Xinhua News Agency say all the students are in stable condition. This happened right during the peak season for the virus in Guangdong, which usually lasts from October until March. Schools are often the hardest hit because so many people are sharing the same bathrooms and cafeteria spaces.
What exactly is Norovirus?
Many people call norovirus the “stomach flu,” but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it isn’t actually related to the regular flu at all. While the flu affects your lungs and breathing, norovirus attacks your stomach and intestines.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that about 685 million people catch it every year. It’s also very tough; the virus can live on surfaces like doorknobs or desks for days and isn’t easily killed by regular hand sanitizer.
Signs and symptoms to watch for
If you catch norovirus, you usually know it quickly. The Mayo Clinic explains that symptoms typically start 12 to 48 hours after you’ve been exposed. The main signs are:
– Sudden, intense nausea and heavy vomiting.
– Watery diarrhoea and painful stomach cramps.
– A mild fever, headaches, or body aches.
The biggest danger with this illness is dehydration. Because you lose so much fluid so fast, you can get dizzy or very weak. Experts at the Mayo Clinic warn that if you can’t keep any liquids down, you need to see a doctor immediately.
How to protect yourself?
Since the outbreak started, the school in Foshan has been checking students’ health twice a day and tracking anyone who stays home. As per Mayo Clinic, the best way to stop the spread is very simple: wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
The CDC explains that you shouldn’t rely on alcohol-based hand gels for this specific virus because they don’t always kill it. If someone at home is sick, it’s also important to clean surfaces with a bleach-based cleaner and wash any dirty laundry in hot water to make sure the virus is gone.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. While the author has incorporated expert medical guidance while producing the story and ensured full authentic information is provided to the reader, you should always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here.