You can’t “starve a fever” or “feed a cold” for this one—just feed your patience. The best medicine is time. Most people recover in two to three days without any medical intervention, but if you can’t keep liquids down for 24 hours or see blood in your vomit, it’s time to call a doctor.
For prevention, here’s the real talk: hand sanitizer is weak against norovirus. You need good old-fashioned soap and warm water, scrubbing for at least 20 seconds—sing “Happy Birthday” twice, or better yet, the chorus of “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston. That’s the kind of effort it takes.
The Cleanup Crew’s Guide
If someone in your home gets sick, bleach is your best friend. Mix one cup of bleach with nine cups of water and wipe down every surface—counters, faucets, remotes, phones, light switches. Norovirus can survive on surfaces for up to two weeks, so yes, that remote control is essentially a biohazard.
Wash linens and clothes on the hottest cycle, and wear disposable gloves if you’re handling laundry. Also, a little pop culture wisdom: do not be the martyr who says, “I’ll just clean it up quickly.” That’s how you get the souvenir of a stomach bug for yourself.
Whats Going Around Sickness
