Posted on 01/27/2013 6:37:39 PM PST by BenLurkin
In an average year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 21 million Americans get the norovirus, with classic stomach flu symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea.
Eight hundred die. Symptoms come on very suddenly, within hours after a person has been exposed to it.
Because no one has immunity to this new strain, more Americans perhaps 50 percent more, the CDC says could become violently ill.
While the flu is spread mostly in the air by sneezes and coughs and a person needs to breathe in as many as 1,000 virus particles to get sick, the norovirus is far more contagious. Just 18 norovirus particles can make a person sick.
The flu can last two to four hours on hard surfaces outside your body, but the norovirus can survive and remain infectious for weeks.
To keep the norovirus away, medical experts suggest cleaning the house with bleach, not just regular detergents. They also say that while hand sanitizers kill the flu virus, they are not effective at getting rid of the norovirus
(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...
RELATED STORY
New Norovirus Strain Causing Most Outbreaks
Most norovirus outbreaks seen late last year in the U.S. were caused by a novel strain known as GII.4 Sydney that appears to have largely replaced the previous dominant strain, the CDC reported.
...
According to a report in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 141 of 266 norovirus outbreaks tracked from September to December 2012 were caused by the novel strain.
“Right now, it’s too soon to tell whether the new strain of norovirus will lead to more outbreaks than in previous years. However, CDC continues to work with state partners to watch this closely and see if the strain is associated with more severe illness,” said CDC epidemiologist Aron Hall, DVM, MSPH, in an agency press release.
http://www.medpagetoday.com/InfectiousDisease/PublicHealth/37034
I work around a lot of teenagers.
Oh joy.
I work around a lot of teenagers.
Oh joy.
Already had it. Hits fast. Feel ok then a few hours later it hits. Vomiting and awful gas. Last about 24 hours. Takes another day or two until feel 100%.
Yeesh....this sounds more like a massive epidemic reaction to Obama!!!
“Medical experts suggest washing your hands with soap and water repeatedly to keep the norovirus off them.”
They’re CLUELESS. They still don’t even know how the common cold is passed. They’re just guessing at this point.
I picked up a norovirus-type illness years ago while travelling and it almost ruined my vacation. I was never so intensely ill in such a short period of time. I can see how it can be dangerous to the very young and elderly. It was terrible.
I came down with something this weekend. Flu, winter sickness or food poisoning? Who knows, but I laid on my couch with a blanket and my heavy duty Carhartt jacket listening to the TV for six hours on Saturday night. This is the second flu type bug to hit me this winter.
No time for the usual jokes. I work around a lot of stomachs.
“Theyre CLUELESS. They still dont even know how the common cold is passed. Theyre just guessing at this point.”
Are you suggesting that people should not wash their hands?
I’m still busy hiding from SARS and Bird Flu.
Frankly, imagining that anyone could sanitize their whole house is just silly. Bleach all over everything you touch? Does that include the rugs and the sofa pillows? Sweaters and jackets? Or maybe you should just throw out all the furniture and refurnish with glass and stainless steel tables and chairs?
Same here. Last time I caught it was two years ago. At least, it was quick. 24 hours, so it isn’t that bad.
Eight hundred what? Is that how many people have died? Is that how many viruses have died? Is it a random phrase relating to a type of die that is cast?
Journalists sense don't anymore make. Have idea I say don't are any they what to trying.
Me fail English? Umpossible.
“Are you suggesting that people should not wash their hands?”
I’m saying it doesn’t matter regarding illness. I rarely wash my hands, and I still don’t get sick. I don’t know the stuff is spread, but if it were the way they were talking, I wouldn’t have 10 years without a sick day - rather I’d be in the ER every other week.
...but people do buy the hype, and they still get sick.
be sure to duct tape your windows!
Have they created a ‘vaccine’ to push yet?
Are we all on one big cruise ship now?
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