How to prevent the norovirus from getting to your body

Photo from doobybrain

Noroviruses are sweeping Britain in their biggest outbreak in five years and according to health officials this year is going to be the highest yet. I heard yesterday on the radio that Britain is reported to have £40 million loss in productivity a day due to workplace noroviruses (although I can’t remember the source).

I have always been and will continue to be a huge believe in prevention being better than cure and that’s why this website exists. For that reason, I’m going to explore the science and symptoms of the norovirus before suggesting some natural ways to prevent yourself from being infected.

The norovirus comes from a family of viruses that cause the “stomach flu”. It is more commonly known as the winter vomiting disease and its incidence usually spikes in the winter although health officials have said that it has started earlier than normal this season. The norovirus is highly contagious and is usually transmitted by air or via contaminated water and surfaces. Common symptoms of the disease include nausea, vomiting, fever, body and muscle pain and headaches. 

Most people recover from the norovirus within two days and without any treatment if the body’s systems are in good health and vitality. I’d like you to consider taking it a step further if you’re in an area of outbreak and consider bolstering up your immune system with these good-for-you healthy living methods:

1. Wash your hands well. This one is obvious – if its a disease caused by contamination, be sure to keep clean as much as possible and wash your hands thoroughly to avoid passing of the virus to your body. When I travel abroad, I like to take a bottle of Hand Cleansing Gel which allows you to clean your hands if you don’t have water easily available. You might like to do the same.

2. Keep hydrated. Allow your body’s cells to be replenished and in good health by providing them with a lot of water and oxygen so they can be recycled at optimum. Take in lots of fluid and the best ways are through water and fresh juices.

3. Use the No Germs Instant Hand Sanitizer. This is a patented formula that kills the pathogens and germs on your hands before they get to your body. It’s available as a spray or pump and from any supermarket or chemist.

4. Drink Organic Cold Season Tea by Yogi Tea. I really like this tea made up of lemongrass, ginger, eucalyptus, orange peel, peppermint, oregano, clover, black peper, basil and cinnamon. It’s a delicious and relaxing tea that also provides good congestion relief too.

5. Berries. I love berries as fruits because not only do they taste nice, they have great antioxidant properties allowing them to neutralize free radicals in the body and support the immune system.

What else have you done in the past to help support your immune system or prevent a disease from getting to you?

Also read Natalie Angier’s account of encountering the norovirus in the NY Times here.