Flu Shots Don't Work on Norovirus, But Prevention Is Possible
A new norovirus strain was detected last year in Australia and has reached the United States.
The flu is on everyone's mind this season, and the Westford Board of Health has 100 flu shots available by scheduled appointments for residents. However, it's still a good idea to continue basic hygiene practices because the winter vomiting bug, or the norovirus, is making its rounds. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the norovirus causes about 70,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths each year, mostly in young children and the elderly. Some of the virus' common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pains. The CDC points out that the norovirus is often referred to as the stomach flu, but it is unrelated to influenza, and that there is currently no vaccine to fight it. However, there are …
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