Chiropractor Discusses The Norovirus...Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Dr. J’s Health Tip of the Week:  I think it may be time to talk about the norovirus. I hope I’m not too late as this virus is heavily making the rounds in our area.  If you are nauseas, vomiting, cramping in the abdomen, have diarrhea with a possible low grade fever and fatigue, guess what? You have or have had the norovirus. Adults tend to have the diarrhea more than the kids.  The norovirus is a very contagious virus that is spread by touching the surface of objects or eating contaminated food that has been in contact with an infected person.  It is not an airborne virus.  Symptoms can appear 12 -48 hours after contamination and usually last 1-3 days. Sadly, after the symptoms are gone, the infected person may still be contagious for additional 2-3 days.  Once you have been infected by the norovirus the natural immunity acquired will only last about 14 weeks.  This means that the norovirus is repeatable and you can have it more than once.  There is no cure for the norovirus or medical treatment.  The body will fight off the infection on its own in 1-3 days. The only recommendation is to keep fluid levels up by drinking water or other healthy beverages at regular intervals.  The best and only prevention for norovirus is trying to keep your body as healthy as possible during the virus season by doing things that boost the immune system’s function (7-8 hours of sleep a night, regular exercise, whole foods, stress reduction, vitamin supplementation and chiropractic adjustments). Just as important, the prevention of the norovirus relies on washing the hands with soap and water for at least 30 seconds (frequently), not preparing food while infected, cleaning and disinfecting contaminated surfaces and washing laundry and bed linens thoroughly.

Chiropractor’s Thought for the Week:  I want to take a moment to clarify my comment above as to why I included chiropractic care in the above list of “things to do” to boost immune system function. Research has shown (seriously, it has been proven) that chiropractic adjustments have 3 major effects on how the immune system functions. Research shows that when the chiropractor adjusts the spine, the rate at which the body’s DNA repairs itself is increased. DNA repair rate is an important marker for immune system function.  It has also been shown that when the chiropractor adjusts the thoracic spine (middle back) where the spinal nerves co-ordinate control of the spleen, there is an immediate increase in white blood cell production. White blood cells are the blood cells that fight infection in the body.  Studies have also shown that long term, regular chiropractic care can increase T-Cell production and levels of the body’s resistance enzymes. So, yes. Chiropractic care is an important part of maintaining health.

My name is Dr. J. Zimmerman and I am a chiropractor.  I have been in practice for 29 years.  My chiropractic practice uses many different chiropractic techniques to improve bodily function and restore health. My chiropractic office is located in Galloway Township (the Smithville section) of Atlantic County, NJ.  You can contact me for more chiropractic information at Health First Chiropractic Clinics, 609-652-6363

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Author

Dr J. Zimmerman, Chiropractor Dr. Zimmerman is a practicing chiropractor from Galloway, NJ with 30 years of chiropractic practice.