Area residents suffering from coughs, sore throats and other influenza ailments are few and far between across the Bradford area.
But in the past 45 days, norovirus activity has increased at Bradford Regional Medical Center, said Gail Bagazzoli, vice president of quality for Upper Allegheny Health System, which includes Bradford Regional Medical Center.
“The patient with this virus presents with gastrointestinal symptoms with diarrhea as the number one symptom. It is very contagious and good hand hygiene is important to prevent transmission to others,” she said.
Common symptoms of norovirus include diarrhea, throwing up, nausea and stomach pain –– and possibly a fever, headache and body aches. Outbreaks of the virus often occur from November to April in the United States.
“Norovirus is the leading cause of illness and outbreaks from contaminated food in the United States,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Most of these outbreaks occur in the food service settings like restaurants. Infected food workers are frequently the source of the outbreaks, often by touching ready-to-eat foods, such as raw fruits and vegetables, with their bare hands before serving them. However, any food served raw or handled after being cooked can get contaminated with norovirus.”
Medications do not work to treat the norovirus –– the illness is a viral infection, according to the CDC.
“If you have norovirus illness, you should drink plenty of liquids to replace fluid lost from throwing up and diarrhea. This will help prevent dehydration,” the CDC said. “Sports drinks and other drinks without caffeine or alcohol can help with mild dehydration. But, these drinks may not replace important nutrients and minerals. Oral rehydration fluids that you can get over the counter are most helpful for mild dehydration.”
Meanwhile, BRMC has only experienced two positive influenza screens, one for influenza A and the other B.
“There is no increase in seasonal influenza as yet. It’s not too late to get a flu shot,” Bagazzoli said.
Similar conditions have been felt throughout Pennsylvania. Across the region, McKean County has seen two reported flu cases; Elk County, 13; Potter County, 10; and Cameron County, one, according to state Department of Health influenza information that spans Oct. 1 to Dec. 2.
“Flu cases so far in Pennsylvania are near-normal, if anything slightly below normal due to the warm temperatures,” said Nate Wardle, spokesman for the state Department of Health. “We know that as the weather gets cold and people gather more inside, that is when cases start to increase, and we have seen cases increase over the last few weeks similar to previous years.”
The state Department of Health agrees with the call for flu shots. With cases beginning to rise, he said it is vital that individuals get a flu shot to help in protecting themselves from the flu.
Cole Memorial spokeswoman Dawn Snyder said that flu season typically begins around mid-October.
“Current recommendations say everyone greater than six months of age should be immunized, as this is the best way to protect yourself and those around you against the flu,” she said. “That’s why for the past several years, Cole Memorial’s staff has focused on a high number of them receiving the flu shot to help protect our patients and visitors from infection.”
