UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State University Health Services is urging the community to take precautions as cases of reported norovirus and respiratory viruses such as influenza, RSV and COVID-19 continue to increase nationally according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Although these trends are common for this time of year, University Health Services is urging students to take care of themselves and stay home if they are experiencing symptoms. Students who are sick and unsure if they should see a clinician can contact the UHS advice nurses at 814-865-4847 (press 3) or schedule an appointment using myUHS.
Norovirus or the stomach flu
Norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting, diarrhea and foodborne illness in the U.S. Other common symptoms include body aches, fever, headache, nausea and stomach pain.
Norovirus, also called the “stomach flu” or “stomach bug,” can hit quickly, often within 12 to 24 hours of exposure, and is highly infectious. While people generally recover from norovirus illness within 24 to 72 hours, they may still be infectious for several days after symptoms are gone, particularly for the 48 hours immediately following symptom resolution.
If you become sick with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain or fever, follow these guidelines:
- Stay home and rest, and try to isolate yourself from others as much as possible.
- Hydrate by drinking clear liquids, such as sports drinks (without caffeine), ice chips and water. Sipping liquids and gradually advancing the amount may be better tolerated by your gastrointestinal system.
- Do not prepare or serve food or work in any health care, day care or food services role until at least 48 hours after symptoms are completely resolved.
- Wash your hands with soap and water after using the restroom and before eating or preparing food. Norovirus is resistant to hand sanitizer and requires proper handwashing with soap and water.
To help reduce the risk of sharing and contracting norovirus, UHS is reminding individuals to take the following preventive measures:
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water, especially after using the restroom or before preparing food; use alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available.
- Do not share food or drinks.
- Clean surfaces with an EPA-approved disinfectant or use a chlorine bleach preparation with 1/3 cup of bleach per gallon of water. The area should remain wet with the bleach solution for at least 10 minutes. This is especially important for nearby surfaces after vomiting or diarrhea since viral particles can splatter. Wear rubber household gloves when cleaning and disinfect them when done. Wash your hands when done cleaning.
- Use hot water to wash towels, bedding and clothing that may have been contaminated with virus splatter.
“Although most people recover quickly and fully from norovirus, it can be very disruptive to your semester plans when you’re feeling sick, and dehydration is possible,” said Dr. Becky Simcik, medical director at University Health Services. “It’s important to stay home and rest, when possible, to keep this from spreading to friends and classmates.”
Influenza, RSV, COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses
The CDC also reports that influenza (flu), RSV, COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses continue to be reported in high numbers in most areas of the country. COVID-19 reports have increased in Pennsylvania and flu is moderate and increasing.
Students who are sick and experiencing respiratory illness, including COVID-19, should follow CDC recommendations, and stay home and away from others. Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, fever, feeling feverish, chills, decrease in appetite, fatigue, muscle or body aches, new loss of taste or smell, headache, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, vomiting or diarrhea.
Those with respiratory symptoms who have risk factors for severe illness should seek healthcare right away for testing and/or treatment. Treatment options for flu and COVID-19 may be an option but need to be started within a few days of when symptoms begin.
Additional preventative measures include:
- Get vaccinated. University Health Services offers flu shots and the 2024-2025 Moderna (Spikevax) COVID-19 vaccine.
- Students should schedule an appointment in myUHS or call (814) 865-4847 and select option 2. It is safe to receive both vaccinations at the same appointment.
- Penn State employees and their dependents (age 18+) who are enrolled in the Penn State health insurance plan can receive their flu vaccine at the UHS Pharmacy. Please call 814-865-4847 and select option 1 to schedule with the Pharmacy.
- Wash hands often, especially after coughing or sneezing. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand-sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Rest and get a good night’s sleep, as adequate sleep is crucial in keeping your immune system performing at full capacity.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and throw the tissue away after use. If a tissue isn’t available, cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands.
Students can return to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, symptoms are both improving and they are fever free without use of fever reducing medication such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
Recovering people returning to normal activities should also perform these additional steps for the next 5 days to control disease spread:
- Wear a well-fitting mask
- Keep distance from others
- Get tested to inform your actions to prevent spread to others