Any virologists/science experts around? What will happen to other viruses during the lockdown? Could this be the end of norovirus?!

[Hollyhead]

This is something I've been mulling over - could this be an opportunity to massively decrease the circulation of other minor viruses? If people are socially distanced and not passing things around, it's hard to see where they will go? Would this actualy be something we'd want or would the lack of opportunity for bodies to learn how to fight off these things actually be a long term disadvantage?

I’m interested in hearing about this too

Yes me too, I was also thinking about the impact on nits!

Mere name, I had the exact same thought!

And worms too

Also wondered about this. I think norovirus mutates, like flu/colds, hence being able to get them more than once.

And chickenpox stays in your body doesn't it, so someone with shingles could set it off again?

But there must be others, especially if much of the world are undertaking social distancing at the same time?

There have been some localised measles outbreaks in areas with low immunisations rates (one in particular that I'm aware of was in New York State somewhere). Not sure how many of these outbreaks are still "live" but I guess this situation will significantly help any that are.

I'd be chuffed if the school closures meant getting rid of head lice 😂

If this could eradicate the cold virus’ it’ll be worth it!

DS told me the other day that he heard Norovirus has really decreased since Covid because everyone is washing their hands far more often (I am an emetophobe so would be pleased if this is true!) but then I wonder that when we can all start to go back to mixing with each other are we more likely to catch things because we will have lost some immunity by isolating. Where do these things go, where do they come from in the first place, from distant biology lessons I remember the host, but how did the host have it in the first place? Long time since I did any science!

No, they won't go away completely but there should be a temporary reduction in some viruses. However, I also think there might be a surge in things like bacterial infections and MRSA

I also think there might be a surge in things like bacterial infections and MRSA

Yes this has been worrying me since idiots started panic buying hand sanitiser. We could be heading for something far worse than this.

I would expect there will be a short term reduction but then back to usual levels. All viruses mutate and always to improve themselves in some way, covid 19 mutated to have a more effective “spike” attachment cell mechanism. That is the nature of viruses. I would expect the likes of norovirus infection numbers to decrease with the increase in personnel hygiene but give it a year and the majority of people will have forgotten how bad things were and get complacent about hand washing again. Then back to more infections.

@cologne4711

People have been stealing it from hospitals. Most people do not need hand gel at all, but health professionals do. I think as things get more hectic hygiene practise will not meet usual thresholds, MRSA swabs will not be down, mistakes will be made etc.

One of my concerns for self isolation without testing is that a lot of people with secondary infections from seasonal flu and cold viruses such as tonsillitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, will not seek medical help and those things will become much more dangerous. Also that people will not be able to get dental treatment and end up with abscesses and secondary infections. People will not get usual health care and checks for things like foot and leg ulcers, cancer screening tests, diabetes check ups, and prescriptions will be missed or messed up.

.

Obviously it's paramount we minimise the risk from Coronavirus, I'm an advocate for lockdown I think it should have done more quickly and more stringently. However there are lots of risks involved, also.

Despite the mass stock piling of hygiene products I'm not sure hygiene practice is actually all that great. Actually the stock piling of hand gels and disinfectant sprays is a signifier that although people are trying to do their best the message about what that is is getting lost, we don't need to shop for new products. We need to effectively use basic things like bar soap and water

No norovirus comes from shellfish.