Post by lancer360 on Mar 8, 2013 14:16:51 GMT -5
Please pass this along to help limit the spread of the Norovirus (stomach flu)
Top 10 things you should know about Norovirus.
10. It takes less than 100 or them to make you sick. 100 Noroviruses put together are 3 times smaller than a single bacteria cell! The typical infected person will release billions of viruses in their stool and vomit.
9. Norovirus is spread through direct contact with saliva or stool or through contact with items or food that is contaminated with saliva or stool from someone infected with the Norovirus.
8. 50% of food related illness is caused by Norovirus contaminated food, most often by someone handling/preparing the food who is contagious!
7. Norovirus can live for days or even weeks outside the human body and still infect people. Many disinfectants are ineffective at killing the Norovirus.
6. Norovirus is hard to kill. Alcohol based hand sanitizers are not very effective at killing it. Washing your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds is best. A mild bleach solution (5-25 tablespoons household bleach per 1 gallon of water) is best at killing the Norovirus in your house.
5. 1 in 15 people in the US will get sick from the Norovirus every year. That is 21 million people! 70,000 of those will require hospitalization for complications like dehydration and 800 will die from complications. The young and the old are most susceptible to having a severe case.
4. Norovirus outbreaks can be 50% higher when a new strain develops. New strains typically appear every 2-3 years. Winter 2012-2013 is seeing infections from a new strain of Norovirus, hence the dramatic increase in the number of people getting sick.
3. Incubation period is 12-24 hours
2. Illness typically lasts 1-3 days
1. You are still highly contagious for 2-3 DAYS AFTER your symptoms disappear!!!!
These last three are the big ones! Combine number 3 and number one and you can get sick 5 days after someone you came into contact with who is infected. The normal rule of thumb that you be symptom free for 24 hours before going back to work or school does not apply for the Norovirus. You need to limit your contact for an additional 48 to 72 hours after your symptoms clear up to minimize the risk. DO NOT GOT BACK TO SCHOOL OR WORK DURING THIS TIME PERIOD. Many local and state health organizations have rules for working in the food industry stipulating this also.
Top 10 things you should know about Norovirus.
10. It takes less than 100 or them to make you sick. 100 Noroviruses put together are 3 times smaller than a single bacteria cell! The typical infected person will release billions of viruses in their stool and vomit.
9. Norovirus is spread through direct contact with saliva or stool or through contact with items or food that is contaminated with saliva or stool from someone infected with the Norovirus.
8. 50% of food related illness is caused by Norovirus contaminated food, most often by someone handling/preparing the food who is contagious!
7. Norovirus can live for days or even weeks outside the human body and still infect people. Many disinfectants are ineffective at killing the Norovirus.
6. Norovirus is hard to kill. Alcohol based hand sanitizers are not very effective at killing it. Washing your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds is best. A mild bleach solution (5-25 tablespoons household bleach per 1 gallon of water) is best at killing the Norovirus in your house.
5. 1 in 15 people in the US will get sick from the Norovirus every year. That is 21 million people! 70,000 of those will require hospitalization for complications like dehydration and 800 will die from complications. The young and the old are most susceptible to having a severe case.
4. Norovirus outbreaks can be 50% higher when a new strain develops. New strains typically appear every 2-3 years. Winter 2012-2013 is seeing infections from a new strain of Norovirus, hence the dramatic increase in the number of people getting sick.
3. Incubation period is 12-24 hours
2. Illness typically lasts 1-3 days
1. You are still highly contagious for 2-3 DAYS AFTER your symptoms disappear!!!!
These last three are the big ones! Combine number 3 and number one and you can get sick 5 days after someone you came into contact with who is infected. The normal rule of thumb that you be symptom free for 24 hours before going back to work or school does not apply for the Norovirus. You need to limit your contact for an additional 48 to 72 hours after your symptoms clear up to minimize the risk. DO NOT GOT BACK TO SCHOOL OR WORK DURING THIS TIME PERIOD. Many local and state health organizations have rules for working in the food industry stipulating this also.
