2 N.C. Hospitals Warn of Virus

Two hospitals are asking visitors, especially children, to stay away until they control an outbreak of a highly contagious stomach virus.

THe only thing is the use of antibacterial soaps would have no impact on viruses (other than whatever impact normal soap and somewhat hot water might.) So, I'd agree maybe on the development of stronger strains of bacteria but I think viruses are sometimes just THAT strong.

Whatever hit WA state is like the Katrina of flus (well, aside from actually lethal variants.)

While I personally believe these things ARE on the increase and not just being reported more, you raise numerous excellent points and I believe all are relevant to the increases.

For one, people do eat out way more than ever before. When I was growing up, eating in a restaurant was a huge treat and rarely done. In fact, I remember going to "Manners Big Boy" as a child and that was a big deal. A lot of women don't cook or don't know how any more (you don't want to get me started on my church potluck; ugh - if you want good food at a church potluck, you have to go to the Southern Baptist Church and I'm not SB).

Also, as others said on here, the standards aren't being enforced in food preparation. Many are uneducated as to the hazards of not washing after visiting the bathroom and so on.

The disinfectant soaps, we have been told, are not good.

Finally, the thing you mention about the children happens to be one of my biggest pet peeves. I simply do not understand why these young parents INSIST on dragging their small children everywere and anywhere. I see them in stores at 9 and 10 pm on school nights. Where is their common sense? People are nuts!

I see it as our doom and gloom media over hyping everything. There have always been out breaks like this, I think, but the media competition for tragedy compels them to talk about it constantly. Remember the summer of shark attacks? I have since read that there were no more shark attacks that year than we usually have.If we weren't worried about anything we wouldn't pay as much attention to the news.

Yes. When I was in HS in the 60s, we had to get a tuberculosis test before we could work in any kind of food service. (Florida)

Now, there is essentially no health screening requirement. SE Florida has loads of illegals working in restaurants. And a scary number are carrying disease. The great state government seems not to have any interest in stringent health screening for food service workers. Or even weak ones.

Things may have changed since I was there, but I suspect not.

Regarding shark attacks, I don't really know about the hype. Certainly some things are more "newsworthy," hence the saying, "if it bleeds, it leads." I disagree with you immensely on the viruses, outbreaks and so on. I do think these are on the upswing. We had a relatively calm period due to antiobiotics but due to overuse and the amazing ability for germs, viruses, microbes, and whatnot to mutate and reproduce, I think it's going to get pretty scary. MRSA is an example of this. Also, anything that jumps the gap from actual contact to an airborne pathogen, well, then it gets even scarier.

An elementary school in my county closed down last week after 300 students and teachers were absent from this bug.

I've also had a friend and a family member who live in different towns who have had a bug (possibly this one) in the past 2 weeks. Says it caused projectile vomiting and diarrhea.

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