To wonder if West Midlanders wash their hands less than others

[Elspeth12345]

There's outbreak of Norovirus in the West Midlands at the moment. It has closed 9 hospital wards in the area.

Norovirus is usually more of a problem in the Winter. Looking at the statistics for each month over the last few
years though it seems that there are always outbreaks of Norovirus in the West Midlands even when there aren't outbreaks in other regions!

Norovirus is spread through ingesting tiny quantities of viral particles, which are spread on unwashed hands and can be spread to door handles, cashpoints, hand rails etc.

When someone catches Norovirus they are supposed to stay away from work/school for at least 48 hours after the last bout of diarrhoea or of vomiting. Handwashing is key to preventing the spread of the infection and I'm just wondering whether people in the West Midlands wash their hands less than those in other regions?

** There's 'an' outbreak

The only time I've had norovirus was when I was staying with a friend in the West Midlands!

Is there?

I live in the West Midlands and haven't heard anything about it.

I don't know. We wash our hands and keep clean. I probably go back to work too soon, but I always take my anti bac lotion.

I doubt it bad hand washing hygiene. Could it be that the councils are less hot on closing down restaurants, hospitals, etc. that aren't up to scratch hygiene wise? Even that seems a bit of a stretch

I'm West Mids (Warks) & haven't heard of an outbreak either. I've washed my hands about 6 times this morning & I've had a shower

Your antibac will be really useful against a virus

I'm in the WM and not heard about this. 9 wards across the whole area doesn't strike me as that many. Its wards not hospitals.

Yeah, we're right dirty scummy bastards here in the West Mids.

I'm in the area too Milktwosugars.

There does seem to be a subculture of not using soap or of viewing washing your hands after taking a pee as unnecessary to be honest.

Antiviral santizer foams can work for the virus but not antibacterial gel and the 48 hour is the minimum to reduce the spread of the infection as people can be contagious for 1-2 weeks.

Beautybox, it could be I guess!

• 48 hour rule- typo

Really glad I read this now, as an emetaphobe have just spent the weekend in the West Midlands.

Claire- I'm a fellow Emetophobe and live here (not from here). Obviously it's not inevitable or even likely that you will catch it though.

Just saw a newspaper title that said that that Birmingham has the worst standards for food hygiene of all UK cities- nice!

I dont know but some people get d&v but others in the house can just get a stomach ache or D.
Kids can get d&v from a 'cold bug' adenovirus etc. The worst is people being sick etc as the virus gets in the air.
I never took 48h off work after bring ill. I think it is mainly to stop people being sick at work as that really would spread it.
It's not like there is suddenly no virus in the stool after 48h.

Which area are the hospitals in?

Hi Naty,

Most often for adults vomiting and diarrhoea is caused by Norovirus. Sometimes kids get it from Rotavirus and rarely they might get isolated diarrhoea from Adenovirus or flu.

The 48 hour rule is because there are significantly fewer viral particles in people's stool after two days of being symptom free. It can still be in stool for 1-2 weeks.

Interestingly I've just seen a headline stating that Birmingham has the worst food hygiene ratings in the country!

Wasn’t aware there was an outbreak in W Mids until I took my son to dr this morning (asthma) and everyone there complaining! Wtf were they doing in the dr? Tbh judging by the state of the toilets in the professional firm I work in quite frankly there seems to be an element in the community of absolutely dirty bastards.

I just read that too Stumbleine- not really surprised!

Bearhunter- I hope your son is ok now. I don't understand why people go to the GP with viral sickness and diarrhoea- it's grose! I guess half of them believe they have food poisoning or symptoms of some other condition and half just don't care/understand that they are spreading it around!

Child poverty is highest in the West Midlands. Most outbreaks are started by kids - many of whom aren’t taught to was their hands with soap as it’s expensive.