Stomach VIRUS Cruises Into New York City ‘Norwalk’ Detected In Early Autumn

The New York Sun ^ | 01/03/02 | Colin Miner

[alisasny]

As some of you know both myself and my son had this virus a few weeks ago. Never did we consider going to hospital although if my son had gotten any more dehydrated I would have taken him in.

It was pretty bad for a good 4 days. Took a good week to feel better and since I have had insomnia....

Can someone bump this to the FR cruise list. THanks.

[surrey]

My daughter's family was hit with this a few weeks ago. What made it worse is she is 6 1/2 months pregnant. She recovered in about 24 hours but her husband was laid low for at least 2 days. Most of their friends also got it. The husbands all fared far worse than their wives.

[alisasny]

We kept my daughter and husband isolated from us and on the 2nd day when I had some strength I dis-infected the bathrooms and such. On the third day I was back in bed. My son was not well at all. He came down with it on a wed and I did not send him back to school until the following Tuesday. He is a little guy and it took that long for him to get his strenth back.

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

I have had this virus- we have large outbreaks in Alaska every winter. I cannot imagine even going to a doctor for it, let alone a hospital (why? So you can spread it to folks who are REALLY sick?)

This minor annoyance (2 days of vomiting and diarrhea) is an indicator of how this country will react to any serious biowarfare attack. We do not tolerate discomfort anymore- let alone real diseases that may prove fatal.

Maybe I'll ask MEDPUNDIT to address this issue.

[alisasny]

You are so right. I was pretty sick and contemplated asking my mother in law to come over to take care of my daughter. Then I said, what if she gets it, I dont want her sick like this. We made it through and my daughter, age 6 really rose to the occasion by getting us liquids and helping us out as best she could. It was the worst stomach virus I ever had but thats what it was a rude stomach virus. Why would I want to go to hospital so they can tell me there is nothing we can do for you, just wait it out.

[nutmeg]

As some of you know both myself and my son had this virus a few weeks ago.

Fortunately, when I met you a week ago, you looked the picture of health! I hope there are no re-occurrences of this virus in your family.

I don't know who does the FR Cruise Bump List, but I'll help bump this thread with one of my regular ping lists. This is a good FYI article, especially for New York-area FReepers.

[AppyPappy]

Half the Virginia Tech football team had it at one point in the season.

[nutmeg]

*ping* to NY-area FReepers and potential FR cruisers.

Please Freepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent ping list.

[nutmeg]

I just found the thread with the FR Cruise committee listing. I'll give them a bump.

[nutmeg]

BUMP to the FR Cruise Committee. (And wishing you a wonderful, "event-free" cruise!)

[firebrand]

Thanks for the ping!

This virus whipped through the campaign staff in September. Yours truly escaped contagion.

Some people say there is a lot more contamination in our food than there used to be, and more than we know about. Antibacterial soaps and cleansers are partly to blame, creating stronger bacteria, which then multiply more easily because they are stronger mutations.

[Diana Rose]

Does anyone have the recipe for the WHO Oral Rehydration formula? Thanks

[MinuteGal]

Hi, nutmeg. The flu season will be long over before the freeper cruise the first week in June.

Leni

[nutmeg]

This virus whipped through the campaign staff in September. Yours truly escaped contagion.

Glad you escaped! I had no idea this virus had hit the NYC area like this. Hasn't reached central/northern CT... that I know of, anyway.

Then again... I know someone who works with passengers at TF Green airport in Providence, RI who caught the virus. Most likely from cruise ship passengers flying back home.(?)

[nutmeg]

The flu season will be long over before the freeper cruise the first week in June.

That's true. Like I said... hope this year's FR cruise is as wonderful as last year's was! Wish we could join you again on this one. :-(

[RANGERAIRBORNE]

By the way, the average visit to a clinic here in Alaska for "Norwalk Virus" would cost close to $200. If you elected to go to the hospital Emergency Department, you can count on at least double that bill- plus a lot of lab tests you don't need or want.

Not presuming to give advice, but as long as I have no real pain (cramps don't count), can hold down enough fluids to stay reasonably hydrated, and my temp is under 102, I'll skip the doctor.

In the case of a small child or an old, frail person, of course, I would be a lot more cautious! They don't tolerate dehydration well.

BTW, if you do get Norwalk-like virus, you can be sure that someone you came into contact with (or who handled your food or utensils) did not wash their hands after using the toilet. No mystery about it- it's a virus found in feces.

For fun, start keeping a mental tally of the folks who use any public restroom you happen to be in who just go straight out the door, without stopping at the sink. (Especially in restaurants, this is an instructive exercise). You will find that it is at least 50%- usually more. (Women may be a little better at this, but published studies really do not show this...)

[Coleus]

http://www.diarrhoea.org/

http://www.diarrhoea.org/ors/ort_how_it_works.htm

[livius]

Sensible advice. I think there's a lot of unnecessary panic about this one. Remember, Momma always TOLD you to wash your hands, right?

One study I recently read said that men very rarely wash their hands after leaving the bathroom - and of course, then touch doors where other unwashed hands have been - and women are not a whole lot better on this. A little sensible hygeine would go a long way; and then, if you do get it, drinking a lot of fluids and resting (that is, not going to work and giving it to everybody else) would probably take care of it, unless you have other risk factors, such as extreme youth, old age or a compromised immune system.

[Diana Rose]

Thank you! One small problem the formula on the site list ingredents in grams and not teaspoons etc. :) but that is a start at what I need to get at the store.

[goodnesswins]

"For fun, start keeping a mental tally of the folks who use any public restroom you happen to be in who just go straight out the door, without stopping at the sink."</>

LOL....my husband had an ADMIN who sat right outside the men's room on a jobsite.....she could hear whether the sink got used....so she'd admonish those (even customers/sales people) who didn't wash their hands to go back and do so. It was hilarious and my husband thought she was great.