Re: Q&A: What is norovirus?

[Guest guest]

Hi Lee.It will be very interesting indeed to see how long this virus

spreads to the USA and other parts of the World, from the UK.,

probably spread via Air-travel. Apparently it takes up to 48 hours

for the disease to make the infected person feel ill.

Norovirus must be as equally contagious as the H5N1 flu bug, and

maybe a way of testing the speed of infection of H5N1 too.

Mike.

>

> Q & A: What is norovirus? from Times Online January 3, 2008

> As a virulent gastric bug affects more than 100,000 a week, the

Health

> Protection Agency explains what it is

>

> What are noroviruses?

> Noroviruses are a group of viruses that are the most common cause of

> gastroenteritis (stomach bugs) in England and Wales. In the past,

> noroviruses have also been called " winter vomiting viruses " , " small

> round structured viruses " or " Norwalk-like viruses " .

>

> How does norovirus spread?

> The virus is easily transmitted from one person to another. It can

be

> transmitted by contact with an infected person; by consuming

> contaminated food or water or by contact with contaminated surfaces

or

> objects.

>

> What are the symptoms?

> The symptoms of norovirus infection will begin around 12 to 48 hours

> after a person becomes infected. The illness is self-limiting and

the

> symptoms will last for 12 to 60 hours. They will start with the

sudden

> onset of nausea followed by projectile vomiting and watery

diarrhoea.

> Some people may have a raised temperature, headaches and aching

limbs.

> Most people make a full recovery within one to two days, however

some

> people (usually the very young or elderly) may become very

dehydrated

> and require hospital treatment.

>

> Why does norovirus often cause outbreaks?

> Norovirus often causes outbreaks because it is easily spread from

one

> person to another and the virus is able to survive in the

environment

> for many days. Because there are many different strains of

norovirus,

> and immunity is short-lived, outbreaks tend to affect more than

fifty

> percent of susceptible people. Outbreaks usually tend to affect

people

> who are in semi-closed environments such as hospitals, nursing

homes,

> schools and on cruise ships.

>

> How can these outbreaks be stopped?

> Outbreaks can be difficult to control and long-lasting because

> norovirus is easily transmitted from one person to another and the

> virus can survive in the environment. The most effective way to

> respond to an outbreak is to disinfect contaminated areas, to

> institute good hygiene measures including hand-washing and to

provide

> advice on food handling. Those who have been infected should be

> isolated for up to 48 hours after their symptoms have ceased.

>

> How is norovirus treated?

> There is no specific treatment for norovirus apart from letting the

> illness run its course. It is important to drink plenty of fluids to

> prevent dehydration.

>

> If I'm suffering from norovirus, how can I prevent others from

> becoming infected?

> Good hygiene is important in preventing others from becoming

infected

> – this includes thorough hand washing before and after contact. Food

> preparation should also be avoided until three days after symptoms

> have gone altogether.

>

> Who is at risk of getting norovirus?

> There is no one specific group who are at risk of contracting

> norovirus – it affects people of all ages. The very young and

elderly

> should take extra care if infected, as dehydration is more common in

> these age groups.

>

> Outbreaks of norovirus are reported frequently in semi-closed

> institutions such as hospitals, schools, residential and nursing

homes

> and hotels. Anywhere that large numbers of people congregate for

> periods of several days provides an ideal environment for the spread

> of the disease. Healthcare settings tend to be particularly affected

> by outbreaks of norovirus. A recent study done by the Agency shows

> that outbreaks are shortened when control measures at healthcare

> settings are implemented quickly, such as closing wards to new

> admissions within four days of the beginning of the outbreak and

> implementing strict hygiene measures.

>

> How common is norovirus?

> Norovirus is not a notifiable disease so reporting is done on a

> voluntary basis. The HPA only receives reports of outbreaks and we

see

> between 130 and 250 outbreaks each year. It is estimated that

> norovirus affects between 600,000 and a million people in the UK

each

> year.

>

> Are there any long-term effects?

> No, there are no long-term effects from norovirus.

>

> What can be done to prevent infection?

> It is impossible to prevent infection, however, taking good hygiene

> measures (such as frequent hand washing) around someone who is

> infected is important. Certain measures can be taken in the event of

> an outbreak, including the implementation of basic hygiene and food

> handling measures and prompt disinfection of contaminated areas, and

> the isolation of those infected for 48 hours after their symptoms

have

> ceased.

>

> Source: Health Protection Agency, an umbrella authority set up in

2003

> to connect government public health authorities and organisations.

>

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article3126026.

ece

>