My boy's school has been closed down today with Norovirus. Ever heard of it and what does it do?

Answer 1

I do not wish this on my very worst enemy. As a healthy 27 year old individual it's two-four days of feeling like you are going to die. I seriously slept on the bathroom floor because it was easier than crawling back and forth. It is very intense vomiting, diarrhea, and as you try to hydrate yourself you toss up the water. As a health care provider I was knew I was becoming dehydrated and yet I couldn't even stomach water!

It is extremely contagious! Disenfect EVERYTHING! No seriously, don't take this lightly!

News Story: Norovirus On a Cruise Ship
MIAMI (AP) - The world's largest cruise ship was held in port Monday for intensive cleaning after a second outbreak of gastrointestinal illness in two voyages sickened 106 people.

More than 380 passengers and crew members aboard Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas were sickened by norovirus during a Nov. 26-Dec. 3 Caribbean cruise.

The ship was cleaned before its next cruise, but 97 passengers and 11 crew members became sick with the same illness last week, officials at the Miami-based cruise line said.

The U.S . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended keeping the ship in port and will oversee repeated cleaning of "high-touch" surfaces such as door handles, railings and elevator buttons, officials said. Two additional doctors and 45 more cleaning staff will be aboard for its next voyage, now scheduled to begin Tuesday.

The ship carried more than 3,900 passengers on its latest cruise.

Another ship, Princess Cruises' Sun Princess, also undergoing a thorough cleaning after docking at Port Everglades on Sunday with 97 sick passengers.

"This is not a very serious outbreak, but we did treat it as we treat all increased incidents - very immediately and swiftly," said Julie Benson, spokeswoman for Santa Clarita, Calif.-based Princess. The ship carried about 1,950 passengers.

Norovirus is a group of viruses that cause stomach flu symptoms such as diarrhea, vomiting and stomach cramps, according to the CDC. It spreads through contaminated food or liquids, contaminated surfaces or direct contact with someone who is infected. Last month, nearly 700 passengers fell ill on the Carnival Liberty during a cruise.


IMPORTANT NOTE: Our outbreak was not the typical transmission through food, it can be passed on objects, like rulers, so I agree disenfect EVERYTHING!

Answer 2

Hi some info from the www!

Novovirus

Disease Fact Sheet Series:Norwalk and Norwalk-like Viruses(Caliciviruses)What
are Norwalk and a Norwalk-like viruses?Norwalk virus and "Norwalk-like"
viruses are representative of a larger group of viruses called caliciviruses.

Infection with these viruses affects the intestine and is common cause of
gastrointestinal illness.

What are the symptoms of an infection
with these viruses?The most common symptoms are nausea with vomiting,
diarrhea, and cramps. These symptoms occur in all age groups although diarrhea
is more common among adults and vomiting is more common in children. Many
persons also experience headache, fever, chills and muscle aches.How soon do
symptoms appear?The symptoms may appear from 10 to 50 hours after exposure to
the virus, but usually within 24 to 48 hours.

How are these viruses
spread? Norwalk and Norwalk-like viruses are spread by eating or drinking food
or water contaminated with feces from an infected person. Food associated
outbreaks have been linked to cold prepared, ready to eat foods (e.g., salads,
coleslaw, sandwiches) and shellfish harvested in contaminated water. Outbreaks
have also been associated with drinking water and recreational water (e.g.,
swimming ponds, and beaches) where persons may have ingested water
contaminated with feces from an infected person.

These viruses are easily
spread from person-to-person.For how long is a person infectious?People are
infectious while symptoms are present and up to four days after diarrhea or
vomiting have stopped.What is the treatment for this illness?There is no
treatment for this illness. Most people recover in two to three days after
they become ill. Supportive treatment to prevent dehydration may be needed in
severe cases.

What can be done to help prevent the spread of these
viruses?Thorough handwashing following toilet use and prior to handling food
is the best way to prevent the spread of these viruses. Persons currently ill
with diarrhea or vomiting should not handle food, work in day care centers or
care for patients in a health care facility until these symptoms have stopped

Answer 3

I am not an alarmist person. I get angry at alarmist people. I only mention this because of what I am about to say.

Seriously consider washing his equipment, ie pens, rulers, protractors in bleach. I would recomend washing his shoes in bleach.

Norovirus is one of those lovely projectile viruses that are hard to destroy(kill) and they live a long time outside of a host. The school is closed for disinfection and i recommend you try to do the same.

Answer 4

Its like a really bad case of stomach flu(runs and vomiting) stay hydrated with clear fluids. I can last from 24 to 72 hours.
Keep yours hands clean that helps.

Answer 5

BAD stomach bug...

Vomit & Diarehha for 24-48 hours

very very contageous...
Even when he goes back to school make sure he washes his hands often..and first thing when he gets home to avoid "contamination" of your house...

http://www.webmd.com/hw/raising_a_family/tp21190.asp

Answer 6

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/norovirus-qa.htm



It is a stomach flu that spreads easily.

Answer 7

sickness and the s******ts