CDC Warns that Alcohol is Useless Against a Highly Contagious Virus We All Hate
Last week, I was enjoying my annual holiday break—basically a time to do absolutely nothing. I’m off work, cozied up at home, and loving every second of it. It's my chance to reset. On Thursday morning, I woke up and thought, "Today is the day. I’m staying in my jammies all day and doing nothing." I’d already tackled all my errands and was ready for a total chill day. Then, my phone buzzed with a text from a good friend of mine...
He Wasn't Feeling Well
He asked if I could swing by our boarding barn to clean his horse’s stall since he was down with the stomach flu. Now, I don’t know about you, but being sick sucks. And the stomach flu? That’s just the worst. So, despite my plans for a lazy day, I agreed and headed out to the barn.
Later, he told me that the day before, he had to stop every 10 to 15 minutes while driving home because he was so sick. Honestly, being stuck away from home with the stomach flu is one of my biggest fears. Just thinking about it makes me cringe.
What Did He Have?
While he didn’t get a test, my friend most likely had a good old-fashioned case of norovirus. According to the CDC, norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. It’s often referred to as the "stomach flu" or "stomach bug," but it's not the same as the flu. Norovirus spreads mainly through contact with contaminated surfaces or directly from person to person. It can also spread through food, especially raw or undercooked shellfish.
Norovirus Is on the Rise
The CDC reports that from August 1 to December 11, 2024, there were 495 norovirus outbreaks in states participating in NoroSTAT. Compare that to last year’s 363 outbreaks in the same period—it’s clear that norovirus is making a comeback.
What Makes Norovirus So Hard to Kill?
What makes norovirus so particularly bad is that it's considered a "perfect pathogen" and alcohol-based sanitizers do not kill it. I know, gasp. Cue dramatic music! Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can’t break through the outer coating of the norovirus. So, even if you’re sanitizing your hands after shopping, the second you touch your face, game over. You lose.
What Kills Norovirus?
But, here’s the good news: While alcohol doesn’t work against norovirus, you can easily eliminate it by washing your hands with soap and water. It’s also killed by common household cleaners like bleach and hydrogen peroxide.
And, if you've never watched a video on how to properly wash your hands - here's a throwback to Ellen teaching the world how to wash your hands when COVID was first a thing. I actually learned quite a bit from this one...
What to Do If You Get the Stomach Flu?
If you end up with this nasty bug, don’t worry—you’ll get through it. Here are a few tips:
- Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, and make sure you’re replenishing electrolytes.
- Keep washing your hands to avoid spreading it.
- Isolate yourself to prevent passing it on to others.
- Rest, rest, and rest some more!
- And if things get really bad, see your doctor—there are prescription medications that can help with nausea and diarrhea.
Stay safe out there, and wash your hands! Trust me, it’s your best defense.
LOOK: Food and drink items that are highly restricted or banned in the U.S.
Gallery Credit: Stacker