Cases of influenza and norovirus are rising across the United States as winter continues, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, leading to increased absences from school and daily activities.
Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a viral respiratory illness that spreads from person to person and can cause symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, sore throat, fatigue, headaches, and muscle aches. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes acute gastroenteritis, leading to sudden vomiting, watery diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain. Although it is often called the “stomach flu,” norovirus is not related to influenza.
Health officials say both illnesses spread more easily during colder months, when people spend more time indoors. The CDC recommends frequent handwashing, disinfecting commonly touched surfaces, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, and staying home when ill to limit the spread of infection.
At West Chicago Community High School, school nurse Catherine Collins said the nurse’s office has not seen an increase in vomiting related to norovirus but has noticed more common winter illnesses.
“We have not seen an increase of vomiting in our school,” Collins said. “We have seen more colds, flu, and sore throat.”
Senior Erik Hoffmann said he has heard how difficult norovirus can be for people who contract it.
“I heard it was pretty miserable, pretty detrimental to one’s system,” Hoffmann said. “It gives a lot of symptoms…headaches, throwing up, hard to keep food down, no energy – just all around a pretty miserable time.”
Collins said proper hygiene is especially important because norovirus is highly contagious.
“Washing hands for a minimum of 20 seconds is the most important thing you can do to stay healthy,” Collins said. “Hand sanitizer does not work against the norovirus.”
She added that students should avoid touching their mouth, nose, and eyes, disinfect surfaces, and stay away from others when sick. Collins said norovirus symptoms usually begin 12 to 48 hours after exposure and can last one to three days, warning students to watch for signs of dehydration such as dizziness, dry mouth, and decreased urination and to contact a doctor if symptoms worsen.
Hoffmann also shared that his hairdresser recently experienced norovirus and struggled to recover.
“She said she couldn’t do much for about three or four days – no energy,” Hoffmann said. “It really messed with her sleep schedule, and she had to cancel plans because she couldn’t really achieve a whole lot.”
