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 ...
“be sure to duct tape your windows!”
LOL, but there sure are a lot of slobs like me on this thread.
Why else would so many people here be saying that they’re getting sick?
Washing hands is pretty effective, because norobastard has to get into your mouth to infect you. Never touch food or your face (eyes/nose/mouth) without first thoroughly washing your hands. If you are in the immediate vicinity of a vomit episode, the aerosolized vomit droplets have enough virus particles to infect if inhaled and swallowed.... Also, if you eat at restaurants, you are completely at the mercy of kitchen and wait staff personal hygiene habits. There are a few hand sanitizers out now that specifically claim to kill noro, but washing it off your hands before you can ingest it is the best defense once exposed.
” I rarely wash my hands, and I still don’t get sick”
Well good for you.
But a lot of us find filth and germs disgusting and unhealthful.
And yes, “they” do know what they are talking about when they say washing of hands helps prevent the spread of colds and other viruses including Norvo.
How anyone can run around without washing their hands is beyond me...and beyond gross.
Well, if any of use jokers don’t show up here tomorrow, we’ll know you’re among the 800 alleged victims!
I’m an EMT in an urban setting. Oh joy.
“Never touch food or your face (eyes/nose/mouth) without first thoroughly washing your hands.”
I do that on a regular basis...I’ll get back to you when I get sick (LOL).
“Also, if you eat at restaurants, you are completely at the mercy of kitchen”
I would say one is at the mercy of their refrigerator temperature. I don’t think there’s any proof of getting people sick from not washing hands...although I agree that using sewer water to clean vegetables will definitely get people sick.
Hit the (2) grandkids, then their parents, over a period of a couple of weeks. Could grandma and grandpa have escaped? ( We have plenty of contact. ) So far, it seems so. Knock on wood.
You and me both. The whole family was diagnosed with the flu. Now after about 2 weeks of blessed peace. I have been floored by the worst case of bronchitis I’ve ever had. Its so bad that I wonder if its not pnuemonia. I’m going to the doc in the morning. Enough is enough.
“And yes, “they” do know what they are talking about when they say washing of hands helps prevent the spread of colds and other viruses including Norvo.”
As I said, I’ll get back with you when I get sick (LOL).
“How anyone can run around without washing their hands is beyond me...and beyond gross.”
Agree...but that’s my point. Doing something to avoid grossing yourself out does NOT necessarily mean it’s effective at anything.
And by the way, I typically travel to 3rd World Countries and behave just the same...and no problems (although I obviously take some precautions, like staying clear of tap water there).
I try to wash my hands every time I come home. Wiping doorknobs every know and then with Chlorox wipes wouldn’t be bad idea I guess. I can’t afford to get sick.
I got it about 3 years ago...me and my entire family (except my 2 year old daughter). I've never been so sick in my life. I had stayed at work overnight and it hit in the middle of the night. It was absolute TORTURE trying to make the 45 minutes drive home...and by the time I got home everyone was sick.
It was a sight with everyone so sick they couldn't move...and my daughter wondering around the house. I had tried to get up and get something to drink. I made it half-way to the kitchen...then laid on the floor for a couple of hours.
HORRIBLE. I can't image anything being worse.
“But a lot of us find filth and germs disgusting and unhealthful.”
One other thing...what you say is certainly true, but irrelevant. First, there is NOTHING that shows filth is unhealthful, unless you eat it. If you say my condition after a day of working on cars...you’d get the point that filth and health don’t go together (and no, I don’t usually shower before going to bed, unless my wife makes me).
Germs, yes, they are unhealthful, but I yet to catch a germ in the act. Unlike others, I don’t carry a Scanning Electron Microscope with me all places, so I doubt that I would see one attacking me. My point is that we have NO clue how these germs spread...for all we know we are born with them in us, and if we hit the right environment conditions, they can multiply and attack...that one I actually could believe based on my near-sick days.
This bug sent both hubby and I to the ER, about a week apart around Christmas. Worst Christmas ever. I lost 7 pounds in 2 days. Not a recommended manner of weight loss.
So 24 hrs of barfing and it’s mostly over? I ask because my 6 year old son, who never ever throws up, suddenly barfed all over where he was sitting a few hours ago. Hit so fast he couldn’t react. Can’t keep any liquids down, not even a capful of water. No diarrhea, no fever.
Glad you’re feeling better.
I don’t wash my hands nearly as often as the docs would like, yet I’m always the last person among my friends & family to get sick, if I ever do, during “outbreaks” like these. I’d like to think that my regimen of diet (mainly vegetarian), exercise, and good old-fashioned prayer works pretty well for the most part.
Not that hand-washing is a bad thing, but like Bob said, it’s not the panacea some people make it out to be.
Note step number 6.
Foot operated faucets should be the norm.
Also, don’t touch money. It is one of the worst carriers of germs and viruses.
This is the only part of Obamacare that seems to be working. He has banned the use of money, or at least made it quite scarce. I’m certain that his motive was to keep us from getting the s**ts.
Same here. Was sitting outside with the family, was felling a bit queasy. Next thing I know I am in urgent care getting a potassium IV for dehydration.
Took about 3 days before I started to feel better.
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