ciphergoth | Public health announcement: Noroviruses

Since

jezebel_z, myself, and

spikeylady have been struck with this, and possibly others on my FL complaining of a stomach bug, here's a summary of what I've found online about noroviruses and how to avoid getting them. This is essentially a cut-down version of the CDC page on the subject, but here's the Google search.

Noroviruses

Noroviruses are a group of related viruses that cause acute gastroenteritis ("stomach flu").

Symptoms

Symptoms usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. Sometimes people additionally have a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and a general sense of tiredness. The illness often begins suddenly, and the infected person may feel very sick. In general, children experience more vomiting than adults. Most people get both vomiting and diarrhea. Although people may feel very sick and vomit many times a day, most people get better within 1 or 2 days, and they have no long-term health effects related to their illness. (I was over the worst in about seven hours - Jez about the same)

Sometimes people are unable to drink enough liquids to replace the liquids they lost because of vomiting and diarrhea. These persons can become dehydrated and may need special medical attention. This problem with dehydration is usually only seen among the very young, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune systems.

Treatment

When people are ill with vomiting and diarrhea, they should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Dehydration among young children, the elderly, the sick, can be common, and it is the most serious health effect that can result from norovirus infection. By drinking oral rehydration fluids (ORF), juice, or water, people can reduce their chance of becoming dehydrated. Sports drinks do not replace the nutrients and minerals lost during this illness.

(However, my experience was that I had to wait until an hour after my body had purged itself of every last bit of its contents before it would let me drink even oral rehydration fluids in the form of water mixed with sachets of Dioralyte. Thirstiest hour of my life.)

Contagion

Noroviruses are very contagious and can spread easily from person to person. Both stool and vomit are infectious. When vomiting, particles containing the virus can adhere to nearby surfaces. People can become infected with the virus in several ways, including:

eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus;
touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus, and then placing their hand in their mouth;
having direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms (for example, when caring for someone with illness, or sharing foods or eating utensils with someone who is ill).

People infected with norovirus are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill to at least 3 days after recovery. Some people may be contagious for as long as 2 weeks after recovery. Therefore, it is particularly important for people to use good handwashing and other hygienic practices after they have recently recovered from norovirus illness.

There is no evidence to suggest that an infected person can become a long-term carrier of norovirus.

You can decrease your chance of coming in contact with noroviruses by following these preventive steps:

Frequently wash your hands, especially after toilet visits and changing diapers and before eating or preparing food.
Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and steam oysters before eating them.
Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after an episode of illness by using a bleach-based household cleaner.
Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with virus after an episode of illness (use hot water and soap).
Flush or discard any vomitus and/or stool in the toilet and make sure that the surrounding area is kept clean.

Persons who are infected with norovirus should not prepare food while they have symptoms and for 3 days after they recover from their illness. Food that may have been contaminated by an ill person should be disposed of properly.

DO NOT RETURN TO WORK UNTIL SEVERAL DAYS AFTER SYMPTOMS HAVE PASSED!

For further advice, call NHS Direct.