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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...)

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.

"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.