Sondra E. Z. Hines, AILT, is an adjunct professor of health & wellness and is certified to teach group fitness exercise and Zumba. Wednesday Wellness - Fitness News You Can Use is published weekly. Email: sondraezhines@yahoo.com.

Each year, it seems, a short-lived yet pesky virus strikes the Charlotte area. The latest one to surface is the norovirus, an unpleasant gastrointestinal illness, commonly referred to as the stomach virus. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps.

On Tuesday, Jan. 31, the N.C. Division of Public Health issued an alert in response to reports of multiple outbreaks in eight of the state's 100 counties – including Mecklenburg, Cabarrus and Catawba.

Unfortunately I was recently exposed to two people who have this virus, which is extremely contagious. My hope is that my frequent hand-washing helps me remain healthy.

“I wasn’t feeling well Thursday morning,” says Brian Barnes who emailed to tell me he contracted the virus. “I thought that I just over did it. Turns out that wasn’t the case.”

Ditto says Christopher Lee, who is also battling the norovirus. “Yes, I have been sick for three days with it; no fun,” he says.

Staying healthy and avoiding the norovirus is doable, says a N.C. state health official.

“The most important message we have right now is that people who are ill with vomiting or diarrhea should not work, go to school or attend daycare while they are having symptoms, “said state epidemiologist Dr. Megan Davies in a NC Division of Health press release.

“Everyone needs to wash their hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water. This is the most effective way to protect yourself and others against norovirus since hand sanitizers alone are not as effective against this hardy virus.”

Further, says Davies, those with the norovirus is infected from the time they catch the virus until roughly three days after symptoms disappear. In some cases – especially with children and the elderly -- recovery time can take longer.

Although there is no specific medication for the norovirus, Davies suggests plenty of fluids to ward off dehydration. In addition she offers these tips to stay healthy:

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after toilet visits and before preparing, serving or eating food or drink. Hand sanitizers are not as effective against norovirus.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces contaminated with vomit or diarrhea immediately, using a bleach-based household cleaner, or dilute household bleach 1:10 in water (must be mixed fresh daily; never use undiluted bleach).
• Stay home when sick.
• Do not prepare food for other people when sick and for at least three days afterward

Until, next time, I wish you good health and wellness!
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Editor's Note: For more health/fitness-related tales, tips, testimonials and more, visit Qcitymetro's Health page: www.qcitymetro.com/health.

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