Anybody know much about the Norovirus?

[mountainboo]

I know it is a common bug but exactly how is it spread? Is it airborn, on door handles, phone receivers etc? And why does it only seem to be most common around winter time? For me the worst thing is being sick so can I prevent from catching it

[Octavius]

This is reportedly what the Tottenham team had when they were due to play West Ham in May 2006.

I can't pretend to know much about the virus, but I understand that it is mainly something that is found in seafood or shellfish (mainly clams and oysters) and sometimes in salad ingredients.

[mountainboo]

Oh right okay, so what is that bug that goes around that causes sickness and dioreha?

[Octavius]

All viruses are contagious if you are:

1/ eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with the virus
2/ touching surfaces or objects contaminated with the virus, and then placing their hand in their mouth
3/ Having direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms (for example, when caring for someone with illness, or sharing foods or eating utensils with someone who is ill).

[PinkFizz]

http://www.accepta.com/Industry_Water_Treatmen t/Norwalk_virus_Norovirus.asp


Hope this helps mountainboo.

[mountainboo]

Thanks again Pinkfizz, there is some very useful info on that site

[Carakeel]

Hope this gives you all the info you need : http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/nor ovirus-qa.htm

[Backdrifter]

It's what's commonly known as the "winter vomiting bug". Lovely name, eh? I caught it in 2003 and it's nasty - unpleasantness at both ends - the only glimmer of light being that it generally lasts 1 to 3 days maximum but it does leave you quite weak.

Unfortunately yes it can be inhaled if airborne. But as with any virus, some measures can be taken to limit the chances of catching it simply by practising basic hygiene. It astonishes me that, particularly in these days of people being frantic about cleaning their houses with every "antibacterial" product available and practically shrink-wrapping their precious offspring in plastic to protect them from evil microbes, so many of us practise such poor hygiene in other respects. Just washing your hands as soon as you come off public transport, for example, helps.