Norovirus

I've been sick this past week with what I believe is Norovirus.  So I wanted to put some information up on my blog about it since I've read a little bit about it this week.

Norovirus is the most common cause of foodborne illness in the United States.

Each year in the United States approximately 19,000-21,000 people get sick from norovirus.  And approximately 600 to 800 people die from it every year.

Norovirus is extremely contagious and it is easily spread.  This is the bug that causes the outbreaks you hear about on cruise ships. It is also prevalent in nursing homes, daycare centers, schools, etc.

Norovirus causes gastroenteritis.  It is also known as winter vomiting bug.  It is more prevalent during winter months but you can get it anytime.

Norovirus is very resilient and can survive temperatures of up to 140°.  Can survive flash steaming of shellfish.  It can also survive on hard surfaces for days.

Best way to prevent the spread of norovirus -- and any disease for that matter -- is handwashing!  Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.  A good way to time that is to sing happy birthday twice as you're washing your hands.  That's the advice the website gave.  :-)

Hand sanitizers do not kill norovirus.  You must wash your hands with soap and water.

To clean hard surfaces use a diluted bleach solution of 5 tablespoons-25 tablespoons of bleach per gallon of water.  About 1 cup per gallon.

It is recommended that anyone infected with norovirus not prepare anyone else's food for at least three days after they feel better.

Just like the rhinovirus (common cold) there are many different strains which makes developing vaccines difficult.  There are approximately 25 known strains of norovirus which means you can get it at least 25 different times.  :-(

It takes fewer than 100 Noroviruses to make you sick.  Which is an extremely small number!

Most of the information was taken from the CDC's website.  I just found this summary.  I should have just posted it,  it would have been a lot less work.   Click link:

CDC norovirus key facts link