Health Annoucements

Student health research survey

Student Health Services would like to invite you to participate in a survey for student health research! This survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. When the survey is completed, you will be able to enter a raffle for some great prizes. Prizes include an iPad mini, four $50 Visa gift cards, and Mason Gear!

Please complete the survey at the link below:

https://iuadolescentmed.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_a3Q0LEh16YBQO0d

Thank you in advance for your participation! If you have any additional questions, feel free to contact Dr. Joshua Rosenberger at jrosen10@gmu.edu.

 

Norovirus (Stomach Flu)

Norovirus causes your stomach or intestines or both to get inflamed (acute gastroenteritis). Norovirus is a very contagious virus and can spread quickly.

You can become infected with norovirus by having contact with someone who is infected with norovirus (for example, caring for or sharing food or eating utensils with someone with norovirus illness), by eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus, by touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus then putting your fingers in your mouth, or accidentally getting stool or vomit from infected people in your mouth.

Norovirus Signs and Symptoms

If You Have Norovirus (Stomach Flu)

Norovirus Self Care

When Should You Seek Medical Attention

Norovirus Prevention

Additional Information

 

Signs and symptoms of Norovirus

People who have the Norovirus often feel some or all of these signs and symptoms:

• diarrhea
• throwing up
• nausea
• stomach pain
• fever
• headache
• body aches

You are most contagious when you are sick with norovirus illness, and during the first 3 days after you recover from your illness. Most people with Norovirus illness get better within 1 to 3 days.

Dehydration is the most common complication of norovirus. Symptoms of dehydration include a decrease in urination, dry mouth and throat, feeling dizzy when standing up, and a fast heart rate.

If you have the Norovirus

If you have the norovirus, or think you have the norovirus:

• Stay in your residence, away from work and school, and limit contact with others as much as possible for the duration of your illness and until 24 hours after you have stopped vomiting.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
• Wash fruits and vegetables and cook seafood thoroughly.
• Do not prepare food or care for others.
• Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces.
• Wash soiled laundry thoroughly.
• Contact college professors, friends, and others via email or phone. Student Health Services does not provide medical excuses.

Norovirus Self Care

For fever > 100° F (37.8 ° C) and muscle aches take over-the-counter acetaminophen (Tylenol). Be sure to follow the dosing and warning directions carefully.

Give your stomach a rest for the first 6 hours after vomiting has stopped. Do not ingest anything for a period of 1-2 hours after vomiting has stopped.  After the first one or two hours, suck on a hard candy or popsicle and then progress to ice chips and/or sips of water. 

Gradually add clear liquids after the first 6 hours and for the next 24 hours.  A sip or two every 10 minutes is a good way to start.  Suggested clear liquids include water, ginger ale (remove carbonation by adding a pinch of sugar to a ½ glass of ginger ale and stir until carbonation is gone), a 1:1 dilution of sports drink (such as Gatorade) with water, tea with honey or sugar, Bouillon, or clear broth from non-greasy soup.

If nausea or vomiting recurs, go back to smaller amounts, or begin the process again, taking nothing by mouth for an hour or two. 

Add easily digestible foods and juices during the second day. Suggested foods include cooked cereals (instant oatmeal), soups (a clear-base broth without many vegetables or meat), plain pasta, rice or rice cakes, non-acidic juice (such as apple, white grape, pear or peach), saltines, toast and jelly. 

Progress to a “regular” diet on the third day by adding foods like soft-cooked eggs, white chicken or turkey meat.  The last foods to add are foods containing dairy, milk, creamed soups, ice cream and spicy fried or acidic foods. 

Avoid all dairy products and red meat until other foods are well tolerated.  Also avoid alcohol and caffeinated products because of their dehydrating effects.

If your symptoms include diarrhea, follow the above recommendations for the second and third day and include bananas, rice, applesauce and toast and avoid dairy products.

Get plenty of rest.  This is not the time to pull all-nighters. Your body may require more sleep than usual when you are sick. 

When should you seek medical attention?

Most healthy adults can manage a mild to moderate episode of Norovirus at home by following the self-care above. Generally, the symptoms will peak in approximately 24 hours and should begin to improve. Each day should be a better day after the illness peaks, however it may take several days before the stools return to normal. 

If your symptoms worsen or persist, or you think you are getting dehydrated, seek medical attention by contacting Student Health Services (703-993-2831) or other health care facilities.

Preventing seasonal Norovirus

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
• Wash fruits and vegetables and cook seafood thoroughly.
• When you are sick, do not prepare food or care for others.
• Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces.
• Wash soiled laundry thoroughly

Additional Information

For more information, you may contact Student Health Services (703-993-2831) during business hours.

Centers for Disease Control

Virginia Department of Health

US Department of Health and Human Servcies