Warning! The winter sickness virus is here

This year's winter vomiting and diarrhea bug has arrived, writes Folkhälsomyndigheten (the Public Health Agency of Sweden) on its website.

The symptoms are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache and fever.

Foto: Photo by Claire Mueller on Unsplash

Hälsa2024-12-11 12:00

The agency’s monitoring of the virus indicates that the epidemic is underway, with the spread of infection gaining momentum in society. While cases can occur year-round, the peak period for widespread infection typically falls between November and April.

Human calicivirus

Foto: Wikipedia

– How extensive the spread will be this season remains uncertain. Last season, more cases were reported than the previous year. The most intense weeks occurred in February, compared to April the season before, says deputy state epidemiologist Erik Sturegård in a press release.

Winter vomiting sickness is caused by the calicivirus, which can affect people of all ages.

The winter sickness bug

Winter sickness, caused by the highly contagious calicivirus, can spread rapidly. Infected individuals excrete large amounts of the virus in their feces and through vomiting. The virus is resilient, capable of surviving for extended periods in the environment, and can spread via contaminated surfaces, including textiles.

The incubation period ranges from 12 to 48 hours. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, headache, and fever.

The virus spreads through several pathways: direct or indirect contact with infected individuals, or via food handled by someone who is currently or recently ill.

Source: Folkhälsomyndigheten

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