There are many gastrointestinal infections that spread person-to-person, including E. coli, salmonella and listeria, but by far the most common is the norovirus.

            Norovirus typically infects some 20 million people in the U.S. every year, and this winter has seen an increase in reported outbreaks.

            The virus is highly transmissible, resistant to alcohol (the active ingredient in most hand sanitizers) and heat, and persists for many days on surfaces such as counters.

            Places where people are in close quarters and sharing food preparation are particularly prone to outbreaks: cruise ships, nursing homes, schools and day care centers.

            The symptoms: nausea, vomiting, cramps and diarrhea, usually begin very abruptly – you feel fine one minute and then all the symptoms hit you. If there is a fever, it is usually low-grade. The symptoms generally only last 2-3 days and most people recover uneventfully.

            There is no specific treatment; antibiotics are of no use. The most important therapy is fluids to prevent dehydration. Adults can drink plain water, tea, sports drinks or light fruit juices. Children will benefit from pediatric-tailored electrolyte solutions.

            While most healthy people will do fine at home taking frequent small amounts of fluid, an ER visit or even hospitalization may be needed if you cannot keep down liquids.

            A persistent fever of 101 or more is unusual and warrants at least a call to your doctor. Blood in the stool is also not expected and should prompt medical attention.

            The best way to avoid catching norovirus is good hand-washing before you eat or prepare food, and cleaning surfaces with bleach if they may have been exposed to virus particles.

            Note that virus may be shed in the stool for up to two weeks, long after you have recovered, so be careful if you have had such symptoms to wash well after using the toilet and you had best not handle food.

            Norovirus has also spread via shellfish and other food. Cook shellfish to an internal temperature of over 145 F and wash all fresh fruits and vegetables.

            If you do catch it, remember that “this too shall pass.”

            Edward Hoffer MD is Associate Professor of Medicine, part-time, at Harvard.

What Does The Doctor Say?

By Dr. Edward Hoffer

This is for the astronomer in all of us or the aspiring astro-physicist. Compared to areas near Boston or New Bedford, generally speaking, the tri-town has pretty good dark skies. We are very fortunate in that regard. Though we can’t normally make out the Milky Way’s signature glow, we can still spot a lot. This month has already brought with it some great stellar sights. The new year has already brought with it the Quadrantids meteor shower and recently all planets you can see with your naked eye out and dazzling. That’s Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn.

            These four planets will be in a line in the sky. From east to west, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and Venus. Aside from planets, you can also see the Andromeda Galaxy. With your eyes, if your eyesight is good, it will look like a fuzzy star. Seeing it with a telescope is a must at least once in your life. It’s two-and-a-half million light years away, meaning the light you see when you look at it left that galaxy that many years ago. The Orion Nebula will also be bright and easy to spot within its constellation.

            On January 10, Venus will reach its “greatest eastern elongation.” This puts it at its highest point in its arch above the horizon and in the best spot for viewing with your eyes, binoculars, or a telescope if you’re so lucky. The yellow-ish bright star is the one. The planet will be visible after sunset but soon after follows the sun below the horizon.

            On January 13, the next full moon will occur. It’s known as the “Wolf Moon,” “Center Moon,” “Old Moon,” “Moon After Yule,” and many more regional names.

            On January 16, Mars will be closest to Earth in its orbit with the side facing us being nearly fully illuminated. If you look with a telescope, you can make out its white polar caps. Its red glow makes it easy to differentiate against its stellar neighbors. It’s no wonder so many cultures, including that which we derive its name from, associated it with battle and aggression. Mars, god of war.

            On January 29, the next new moon. It will not be visible at night, though this will leave a darker sky, letting you see other astronomical objects easier.

            There are plenty of apps, websites, and other resources you can use to make your cosmic journey easier. NASA offers satellite tracking too, so you can await the ISS on its flyovers.

            The trouble this month won’t be seeing things in the night sky; it will be not freezing doing so.

Astronomy Update for January

By Sam Bishop