Republican National Convention Attendees Suffer from Norovirus Outbreak

 Posted on July 24, 2016 in Food Poisoning

The Republican National Convention in Cleveland has come to a close, and from it came speeches from Republican leaders from around the country, hours of footage, and presidential nominee Donald Trump's official nomination, along with his running mate, Michael Pence. But something else happened during the convention. 11 members of the California delegation's support team fell ill with what appears to be norovirus, a highly contagious virus that can be transmitted from person to person and through consuming contaminated food or water. The individuals who fell ill were staying at the Kalahari Resorts approximately one hour away from the convention in Sandusky, Ohio.

Two of the 11 victims were pregnant and needed to be hospitalized. Like other types of food poisoning, norovirus can be especially dangerous for the elderly, young children, pregnant women, and individuals with compromised immune systems. If you experience any of the symptoms of norovirus listed below, take steps to keep yourself hydrated and avoid any strenuous activity while you recover. It is also important that you avoid contact with others during your recovery because norovirus is contagious. If your symptoms worsen or fail to subside within a few days, seek medical attention.

Symptoms of Norovirus

Symptoms of norovirus include the following:

• Vomiting;
• Diarrhea;
• Nausea;
• Stomach pain;
• Fever;
• Fatigue; and
• Body aches.

These symptoms generally show up within 12 to 48 hours of exposure to the virus and subside within one to three days. Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common symptoms of norovirus. These can easily cause a victim to become dehydrated, which can put the victim at risk of going into shock or suffering from organ damage. This is why it is critical that any individual suffering from norovirus replenish his or her fluids regularly. Symptoms of dehydration include:

• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded when standing up;
• An inability to produce tears;
• Feeling of dryness in the mouth and throat; and
• Decreased urination.

If you are suffering from norovirus, consider drinking sports drinks to replenish your fluid levels. Oral rehydration fluids can be purchased at a pharmacy to replace your fluid levels and nutrients lost to vomiting and diarrhea. Avoid any beverages that contain caffeine or alcohol because these can cause you to become more dehydrated. As its name implies, norovirus is a virus, not a bacterial infection. This means that it cannot be treated with antibiotics. If you are suffering from norovirus, the best way to ensure a quick recovery is to rest and consume adequate liquids.

Work with an Experienced Waukegan Food Poisoning Attorney

If you contract norovirus, you can potentially face severe dehydration and the complications that follow. When this happens, it is not uncommon for a victim to suffer monetary damages such as medical bills and lost wages. Consider filing a personal injury claim to seek monetary compensation for these damages if you are a victim. Contact our team of experienced food poisoning attorneys at Newland & Newland, L.L.P. today to learn more during your free phone consultation. We serve clients in the North Chicago, Fox Lake, Zion, Winthrop Harbor, Waukegan areas from our office located in Chicago.

(photo courtesy of Jonathan McIntosh)