Norovirus, other stomach bugs persist on Long Island, doctors say
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on average there are between 19 million and 21 million illnesses every year caused by norovirus. Credit: Universal Images Group / BSIP via Getty Images
Long Islanders young and old have been knocked down by the stomach virus in recent weeks, even as the season winds down, according to doctors and federal statistics.
While cases of the so-called stomach flu typically taper off around April, pediatricians are still seeing cases of norovirus and other similar illnesses in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Dr. Kerry Fierstein, a Plainview pediatrician, said her practice has seen a spike in stomach virus symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea over the last month.
“My grandson had one this weekend … He was vomiting, held nothing down, exhausted for two days, didn't lift his head up,” said Fierstein, who is chief executive officer of Allied Physicians Group. “And then this morning he's literally doing somersaults around the house, trying to use up that energy he had saved over two days.”
Last week more than 40 students at Half Hollow Hills High School West were sickened with a stomach-related illness. The Suffolk County Health Department said they could not confirm the outbreak was norovirus because that would require getting samples while the students were still ill, according to spokesperson Grace Kelly-McGovern.
While the state Health Department does not track individual cases of norovirus, it does collect data on outbreaks which it sends to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Federal data on the Northeast region, which includes New York, shows 13% of tests over a three-week average came back positive at the end of February, a peak for the year, followed by a decline in March to 9.7%. The percentage has steadily increased since then up to 12% by the start of April.
“Norovirus is rising across the U.S. especially in the Northeast and Midwest,” said Dr. Neal Shipley, medical director at Northwell-GoHealth Urgent Care. “It’s incredibly contagious so it could happen at schools, day cares, nursing homes, etc.”
Norovirus is just one of several viruses that cause gastroenteritis including rotavirus, astrovirus and adenovirus. Fierstein said patients in her practice had tested positive for all of them but emphasized that testing isn’t necessary unless the symptoms are severe or persistent.
“It’s important to note that while norovirus is not a pleasant experience, serious illness rarely occurs,” said Cadence Acquaviva, a spokeswoman for the state Health Department. “A person who becomes ill should hydrate and individuals generally recover in one to two days.”
The CDC said on average there are between 19 million and 21 million illnesses every year caused by norovirus and over 2.2 million outpatient clinic visits, primarily in young children.
Fierstein said people should monitor symptoms such as nausea and stomach pain as well as vomiting and diarrhea and make sure they stay hydrated.
“If they can hold down some liquids, they can stay at home for a few days,” she said. “But if they are having a hard time holding anything down, that’s when you see the doctor.”
She also said if blood is detected in a person’s stool, they should contact a doctor.
The CDC said the best way to avoid these viruses is to wash hands often, rinse fruits and vegetables, stay home when you are sick and don’t prepare food for other people when you are sick.
Long Islanders young and old have been knocked down by the stomach virus in recent weeks, even as the season winds down, according to doctors and federal statistics.
While cases of the so-called stomach flu typically taper off around April, pediatricians are still seeing cases of norovirus and other similar illnesses in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Dr. Kerry Fierstein, a Plainview pediatrician, said her practice has seen a spike in stomach virus symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea over the last month.
“My grandson had one this weekend … He was vomiting, held nothing down, exhausted for two days, didn't lift his head up,” said Fierstein, who is chief executive officer of Allied Physicians Group. “And then this morning he's literally doing somersaults around the house, trying to use up that energy he had saved over two days.”
Last week more than 40 students at Half Hollow Hills High School West were sickened with a stomach-related illness. The Suffolk County Health Department said they could not confirm the outbreak was norovirus because that would require getting samples while the students were still ill, according to spokesperson Grace Kelly-McGovern.
While the state Health Department does not track individual cases of norovirus, it does collect data on outbreaks which it sends to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Federal data on the Northeast region, which includes New York, shows 13% of tests over a three-week average came back positive at the end of February, a peak for the year, followed by a decline in March to 9.7%. The percentage has steadily increased since then up to 12% by the start of April.
“Norovirus is rising across the U.S. especially in the Northeast and Midwest,” said Dr. Neal Shipley, medical director at Northwell-GoHealth Urgent Care. “It’s incredibly contagious so it could happen at schools, day cares, nursing homes, etc.”
Norovirus is just one of several viruses that cause gastroenteritis including rotavirus, astrovirus and adenovirus. Fierstein said patients in her practice had tested positive for all of them but emphasized that testing isn’t necessary unless the symptoms are severe or persistent.
“It’s important to note that while norovirus is not a pleasant experience, serious illness rarely occurs,” said Cadence Acquaviva, a spokeswoman for the state Health Department. “A person who becomes ill should hydrate and individuals generally recover in one to two days.”
The CDC said on average there are between 19 million and 21 million illnesses every year caused by norovirus and over 2.2 million outpatient clinic visits, primarily in young children.
Fierstein said people should monitor symptoms such as nausea and stomach pain as well as vomiting and diarrhea and make sure they stay hydrated.
“If they can hold down some liquids, they can stay at home for a few days,” she said. “But if they are having a hard time holding anything down, that’s when you see the doctor.”
She also said if blood is detected in a person’s stool, they should contact a doctor.
The CDC said the best way to avoid these viruses is to wash hands often, rinse fruits and vegetables, stay home when you are sick and don’t prepare food for other people when you are sick.
Lisa joined Newsday as a staff writer in 2019. She previously worked at amNewYork, the New York Daily News and the Asbury Park Press covering politics, government and general assignment.
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