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CHARLOTTESVILLE, Virginia. (CBS19 NEWS) – The University of Virginia has confirmed cases of norovirus among the student population.
Tuesday night, UVA sent an email to inform students about the virus and ways to avoid contracting it.
The email below was sent to students:
Dear students:
This message informs you that cases of norovirus have been confirmed in the UVA student population. Since norovirus is highly infectious, the Department of Student Health and Wellness sends you additional information about the virus, how to avoid Norovirus, and tips for dealing with illness.
Norovirus causes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and / or stomach pain, as well as a risk of fever, headache and body aches. If you have a norovirus, you may feel extremely sick and have vomiting and diarrhea several times a day. The virus can be transmitted by:
– Eat foods or fluids contaminated with norovirus,
– touch surfaces or objects contaminated by the norovirus, then put your fingers in your mouth, or
– Have direct contact with a person infected with norovirus, taking care of it or sharing food or utensils with it.
Symptoms usually appear 12 to 24 hours after exposure. Norovirus is the most contagious of the onset of symptoms within days of the virus being cured, but the virus may continue to be transmitted for two weeks or more after HIV-positive people have felt better.
Since students with norovirus will remain isolated for several days and will not be able to participate in the University's activities during their contagious period, we want to help protect you from the virus. The best protection against norovirus is:
– Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially before eating. Hand sanitizer is NOT a substitute for hand washing as it does not remove norovirus particles.
– Avoid other people who may have the virus.
– Avoid sharing anything that has been in contact with saliva, whether in your life or in your social environment.
– Get enough sleep and eat balanced meals to keep the immune system healthy.
These strategies are a good idea at any time, but especially at the beginning of the influenza season and with the possibility of new cases of norovirus.
If you have symptoms suggestive of a norovirus, we strongly recommend that you stay home and contact Student Health General Medicine at 434-982-3915 for the best course of action. If you call Student Health at this number on weekends or after regular business hours, an on-call clinician is available for consultations.
For more information on norovirus, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.
Regards,
Christopher P. Holstege, M.D.
Executive director
Department of Health and Student Welfare
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