Prevent the Spread of Norovirus

Five simple ways you can protect yourself from Norovirus.

Noroviruses are a group viruses related with food borne illness, these viruses causes gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines). This leads to stomach cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and in children and old people could be lethal.

Noroviruses are the most common cause of gastroenteritis in the United States. CDC estimates that each year on average 19 to 21 million cases of acute gastroenteritis are caused by noroviruses. Norovirus is also estimated to cause 56,000 to 71,000 hospitalizations and 570 to 800 deaths each year in the United States.

This virus can spread very quickly form person to person in many closed placed (Schools/university, hotels, etc). The normal cause of contagion of this virus are: Eating or drinking liquids that are contaminated, touching surfaces or objects contaminated with this virus and the putting hands in the mouth and having direct contact with a person who is infected (sharing foods, kissing or with eating utensils with them). This illness can be no longer than 3 days after they recover, but many people may be contagious for even longer.

Actually there is no vaccine to prevent norovirus infection; also there is no drug to treat people who have been sick. (It’s a virus not bacteria). The best way to reduce your chance of getting this illness is by following these 5 simple tips:

1)    Wash your hands carefully with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and changing diapers and always before eating or preparing food.

2)    Wash fruits and vegetables, and cook oysters and other shellfish thoroughly before eating them.

3)    Do not prepare food while infected, this may be produce more contamination.

4)    Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces using bleach made with 5 tablespoons to 1.5 cups of household bleach per 1 gallon of water.

5)    Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with vomit or stool and wash your hands after handling. The items should be washed with detergent at the maximum available cycle length and then machine dried

Fuente: http://www.cdc.gov/features/norovirus/index.html

Aporte: Sebastián Castillo