What is Norovirus?
NASTY NOROVIRUS: Virus particles like these are responsible for sickening 23 million people in the U.S. every year GrahamColm via Wikimedia Commons An outbreak of stomach flu believed to be caused by norovirus has prompted a temporary shutdown of Babson College, a small business college and graduate school in Babson Park, Mass.
Norovirus, sometimes also called the Norwalk virus, causes the intestinal flu. People infected with a norovirus, generally experience stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, and slight fever. Norovirus often occurs in outbreaks. It is a common cause of high numbers of people being ill on cruise ships. It can also sweep through a convalescent home or school with ease. Failure to properly wash the hands after using the bathroom usually transmits norovirus to others. Coming into contact with hands or food that is prepared by hands that are contaminated with molecules of infected stool can cause outbreaks. Sometimes exposure to raw sewage may also cause outbreaks of norovirus. Most commonly however, an outbreak begins with a person who is infected preparing food for others without thoroughly washing the hands. For example, on a cruise ship, a person who has not washed his hands and then cut fruit for a large fruit salad could infect high numbers of people. Incubation for the illness is usually
Norovirus sounds exotic, but it’s well known as the “24-hour stomach bug” and is the second most prevalent illness in the U.S., after the common cold. Symptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps that typically last one to two days. • There are numerous incidents of norovirus across the country, but the reason you hear about it with regard to cruise ships is because they are the only ones required to report gastrointestinal illness to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Hotels don’t have to report it – neither do airlines, universities or hospitals! • On cruise ships, the illness is typically spread through person-to-person contact by touching surfaces that someone with the virus previously had contact with, not from the food or water. So, clients should heed their mother’s advice and wash their hands! The best way to prevent illness is to wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and warm water. • What are the chances of getting norovirus? The CDC estimates that
Related Questions
- Is it true that alcohol-based handrubs are not effective against some important pathogens, for example, Clostridium difficile and norovirus?
- Why does the hospital get so many more wards closed with D&V (Norovirus) than other hospitals?
- If I’m suffering from norovirus, how can I prevent others from becoming infected?
