Norovirus is a group of viruses that cause stomach flu, also known as gastroenteritis. This disease is usually characterized by nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea. This main symptom can also be accompanied by additional symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle aches and fatigue. Sudden initial symptoms may be felt 24-48 hours after being contaminated with the virus. People who have been exposed to the stomach flu virus should take special precautions to prevent getting sick, but there is no one-size-fits-all way to prevent infection.
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Part 1 of 4: Boost the Immune System
Step 1. Increase your intake of vitamin C
Viruses usually enter the body when the immune system is weak, so you must take steps to strengthen the immune system so that the body does not become vulnerable. One easy way to do this is to increase your vitamin C intake.
- Vitamin C is available in the form of tablets, capsules, effervescent (frothy when dissolved in water) and syrup. You should take 500 mg of Vitamin C daily to boost the immune system and protect the body against immune system decline.
- Vitamin C can also be obtained from foods and beverages such as orange melon, orange juice, broccoli, red cabbage, green peppers, red peppers, kiwi and tomato juice.
Step 2. Eat probiotic yogurt
Research shows that consuming probiotic yogurt can help prevent stomach flu from coming back. Consuming a cup of yogurt a day can keep your stomach healthy.
- Yogurt contains good bacteria known as probiotics. These good bacteria fight the bad bacteria in the stomach. Yogurt also helps to double the population of good bacteria in the stomach.
- Yogurt is produced by adding bacterial cultures to milk. When this process is carried out the bacteria convert the sugar in the milk into lactic acid.
Step 3. Drink lots of water
Another way to strengthen the immune system is to drink enough water.
- According to the recommendation, one should drink a minimum of eight glasses of water every day, as water helps cleanse and hydrate the body which is good for the immune system.
- These eight glasses of water do not include other liquids such as coffee, soda, alcohol or tea.
Step 4. Eat more mushrooms
Mushrooms are also known to strengthen the immune system, because mushrooms increase the number of white blood cells in the body. These white blood cells will fight the microbes that cause infection.
- Many types of mushrooms can be used. Shitake, maitake and reishi are among the most popular types of mushrooms that have a positive impact on the immune system.
- Consuming at least 7 grams to 28 grams of mushrooms per day can strengthen the immune system. You can process mushrooms by adding them to pasta sauce or sautéing them in oil.
Step 5. Eat foods rich in carotenoids
Carotenoids (which are derivatives of Vitamin A) increase the activity of immune system cells and improve cell-to-cell communication making it easier to identify foreign entities. Carotenoids also trigger apoptosis (or cell suicide) in these foreign entities.
- Foods rich in carotenoids include carrots, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, machete squash, orange melon, apricots, spinach and broccoli.
- The recommended daily intake of Vitamin A is: 0.9 mg per day for men and 0.7 mg per day for women.
Step 6. Consume more garlic
Garlic has the ability to stimulate the immune system by stimulating the activity of white blood cells called macrophages. Macrophages work by ingesting foreign entities, such as viral cells that can cause this stomach flu. For an immune-boosting effect, eat a clove of garlic every 4 hours.
Step 7. Drink aloe vera juice
Aloe vera contains certain chemicals that can improve immune system function.
- The lectin content in aloe vera stimulates the production of macrophages – cells that are responsible for fighting off foreign entities by ingesting them. That way it can help eradicate the stomach virus in the body.
- Aloe vera is available in the form of juice that can be drunk directly. The recommended amount of aloe vera juice per day is 50 ml.
Step 8. Drink black tea
Studies also show that drinking 3 to 5 cups of black tea per day for a period of two weeks can help the body fight any viruses in the blood.
- L-theanine is a component in green and black tea that is known to boost the immune system.
- To make the tea water more effective, pull the tea bag up and down while brewing it.
Step 9. Drink apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar works by changing the pH in the intestinal tract to an alkaline one. This method is effective because the virus in the intestine will not survive in an alkaline environment, the virus prefers acidic conditions.
Mix two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water and drink it every day
Part 2 of 4: Get Used to Keeping Clean
Step 1. Understand the importance of good hygiene in preventing infection
Cleanliness is the most important factor for maintaining health. This applies not only to the stomach flu but also to other ailments. Cleanliness is the body's best defense against disease.
The most important preventative step you can take to fight disease and contamination is to wash your hands, as your hands are the most likely part of your body to come into contact with surfaces that are infected with norovirus
Step 2. Learn proper hand washing techniques
Washing your hands using the correct technique is essential in killing any microbes that may be on your hands. In order to wash your hands effectively, you must apply the following techniques:
- First wet your hands and apply antimicrobial soap. Rub your palms together. Keep rubbing your palms together, then rub the backs of each hand. After that, rub between the fingers on each hand and the finger itself. Finally, wash your wrists.
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds. If you can't figure out how long you've been rubbing your hands, sing Happy Birthday twice. After that, rinse your hands from your fingertips to your wrists. Dry your hands with a clean cloth.
Step 3. Know when to wash your hands
You should wash your hands in the following situations:
- Before and after handling food, before eating, before and after caring for sick people, before and after touching any type of wound, after touching dirty surfaces or objects, after sneezing, coughing or blowing your nose and after touching pets.
- If hand washing is not possible, using hand sanitizer can be the next best option. Pour a sufficient amount of sanitizer in your palms and rub your hands together to spread the gel over the entire surface of your hands.
Step 4. Clean the house thoroughly
Various parts of the house along with the cleaning equipment you use in your daily life often contain invisible microorganisms, which can eventually cause stomach viruses. To clean the house, here are the things to do:
- Cloths and sponges: Whenever possible, use disposable cloths or paper napkins. Reusable cloths and sponges should be sterilized in a bleach solution after use. Soak the cloth and sponge in a bucket of bleach for at least 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
- Mops and buckets: These two items are considered the dirtiest utensils used in the home because they are always in contact with the floor. Use two buckets when mopping. One for detergent and one for rinsing. How to sterilize the mop: remove the mop head if it can be removed. Add cup of antimicrobial solution to a bucket of water and mix well. Soak the mop head for at least 5 minutes. Rinse thoroughly, then let dry.
- Floor: The floor is the dirtiest part of the house because it is trampled on every day. Use a mop soaked in an antimicrobial solution (¼ cup of antimicrobial solution mixed in a bucket of water) to clean the floor. Make sure the floor is always dry because microorganisms thrive in damp conditions.
- Sinks and WCs: Remember to flush the toilet after each use and use an antibacterial or antimicrobial disinfectant (¼ cup of antimicrobial solution mixed in a bucket of water) to clean the sink and toilet at least every other day.
Part 3 of 4: Preventing Stomach Flu
Step 1. Avoid drinking polluted water
It is very important to check whether the water source is clean and not contaminated with harmful microorganisms. Contaminated water is one way that stomach viruses can be transmitted.
- There are several ways to get rid of germs in water, the easiest is to boil it. The water should be heated to a boiling point for at least 15 minutes before removing it from the heat. This ensures that the microorganisms in the water will die.
- Or if you are in a location where water safety cannot be ensured, always drink bottled water. However, the seals of each bottle should be checked to ensure there are no signs of tampering to ensure water safety.
Step 2. Use a chemical disinfectant
Chemicals such as chlorine and iodine are dissolved in water to kill microorganisms. These chemical disinfectants work by breaking the chemical bonds in the molecules of bacteria and viruses.
- This causes all the molecules to disperse or change shape, which in turn causes the microorganisms to die. To sterilize water using chemicals, do the following:
- Add 2 drops of chlorine in 1 liter of water. Stir well for at least 2 minutes. Wait 30 minutes before using the water.
- However, this method does not guarantee 100% efficiency, so filtering or boiling the water must be done.
Step 3. Sterilize the water using a portable water filter
Such a device has a pore size of less than 0.5 microns to filter viruses and bacteria. This tool works by trapping microorganisms in the filter so that the water that passes through the filter is safe to drink.
- Portable water filters should be used in conjunction with boiling water or adding a chemical disinfectant. To use the portable filter, the following must be done:
- Attach the water filter to the faucet mouth. Most water filters are built in universal sizes so they fit snugly on almost any faucet. Press firmly to make sure the filter is securely attached. Open the faucet and let the water run for at least 5 minutes to remove carbon dust.
- Portable water filters should be replaced monthly to ensure that the water is properly filtered. Microorganisms can accumulate in the filter over time, so replacement should be done every month.
Step 4. Avoid eating street food
You never know how these foods are processed and whether they are safe enough to eat. The food may contain harmful microorganisms such as those that can cause stomach viruses, especially if the food is processed using dirty hands and contaminated ingredients.
Step 5. Ensure proper waste management
Spoiled food should be disposed of properly and trash cans should be tightly closed at all times so as not to attract pests such as rats and cockroaches. Garbage can also be a place for microorganisms to breed.
Step 6. Increase your self-awareness
Always follow the latest news developments. Having a good understanding of current events can help you make wise decisions about planning to travel or engage in recreational activities in a different place or country.
For example, if there's an outbreak of a stomach virus or gastroenteritis in a certain area and you're planning to go there, it's best to cancel your plans for your own safety
Part 4 of 4: Understanding the Stomach Flu
Step 1. Understand what causes stomach flu
Most cases of gastroenteritis are associated with infectious agents such as bacteria or viruses. Bacterial or viral infections cause diarrhea and other symptoms by triggering inflammation of the gastrointestinal tissues.
- Such infectious agents tend to increase the amount of fluid in the intestines and colon by altering the normal function of the digestive tract to absorb water and by accelerating the motility of digested food causing diarrhea.
- This infectious agent can also damage intestinal cells either directly or indirectly through the toxins released.
Step 2. Know what viruses can trigger gastroenteritis
Many types of viruses can trigger gastroenteritis but the most common types are the following:
- Norovirus (Norwalk-like virus). This is the most common type of virus that attacks school-age children. This virus can trigger epidemics in hospitals and cruise ships.
- Rotaviruses. It is a virus that usually causes severe gastroenteritis among children but can also infect adults who come into contact with children who carry the virus. This virus can also infect people living in nursing homes.
- Astroviruses. This virus causes gastroenteritis, especially diarrhea in children under 5 years of age and has been reported to infect adults.
- Enteric adenovirus. This virus also causes gastroenteritis in addition to triggering respiratory infections.
Step 3. Know the symptoms of the stomach flu
Signs and symptoms associated with gastroenteritis usually appear within 4 to 48 hours of exposure to an infectious agent or contact with contaminated food or water supplies. These symptoms include:
- Stomach ache.
- Shivering, sweating and moist skin.
- Diarrhea.
- Fever.
- Stiffness in joints and muscle pain.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Eating little or losing appetite.
- Weight loss.
Step 4. Understand the risk factors for stomach flu
The global prevalence of gastroenteritis is high because it is almost impossible to avoid exposure to any of the identified causes of the disease in your lifetime. However, some people are more prone to gastroenteritis, for example:
- People who are immunosuppressed. This group includes infants, children, adults and the elderly because they have an underdeveloped or weakened immune system that puts them at higher risk of contracting the disease. They are also more likely to become dehydrated than people who have healthy and strong immune systems.
- People taking antibiotics. These drugs can weaken the normal function of digestive microbes, making it easier for certain bacteria and viruses such as Clostridium difficile to cause disease.
- People who don't keep clean. Maintaining proper body hygiene such as proper hand washing techniques can help prevent certain types of diseases such as gastroenteritis.
- People who come into contact with contaminated food and drink. Eating undercooked or unwashed food or drinking from contaminated water sources such as rivers or streams can potentially put a person at a higher risk of developing gastroenteritis.
Step 5. Know how the virus is passed from one person to another
Gastroenteritis can be transmitted through the following methods:
- Direct contact. People who touch contaminated objects such as feces and then touch other people can directly transmit the viral or bacterial agent that causes gastroenteritis.
- Indirect contact. Individuals who carry a bacterial or viral agent touch certain objects and another person touches the same object previously held by a virus carrier and then suddenly puts his contaminated hand to his mouth then indirectly has transferred the infection.
- Contaminated food and drink. Both can potentially harbor the causative agent of gastroenteritis and if ingested accidentally can cause disease outbreaks.
