News says Norovirus will be massive. Wondering if one can do anything to help avoid it....

[bigbelle]

Holidays! Kids home! I do not want this. A few weeks ago I cut out most sugar trying to boost immunity (I read bacteria feeds on sugar). Bought some vitamins called Bee Prepared immune support (bee propolis?) & zinc at holland barret, washing hands like a maniac. Avoiding crowded areas. So far so good but sounds like it's spreading like crazy. ANy suggestions? Certain foods one could eat to get stronger?

[colleysmill]

Well now I just don't know! Could have been something I ate? My hand hygiene is pretty reasonable (but excellent at work!)

Oh well I have come through and will remain out of circulation for tomorrow

[OhYouMerryLittleKitten]

Tis funny how people tend to go into denial about having it! Glad you are feeling better Colley :)

[fackinell]

IMO you know when you have Noro as opposed to usual D&V bugs. I caught it first time working in a Social care setting, where it killed an otherwise perfectly healthy, elderly lady and hospitalised another 2. I was in intense agony and had absolutely no bowel or stomach control. Projectile vomiting, the lot. I have it at least once a yr (last 5) and last time spend half an hr on the bathroom floor trying to get up. It starts (with me) having a 'swallowed a brick type feeling' in the night, usually, and from that second I know it's in the post. As a somewhat scarred veteran, I suggest starving the virus (other than water to prevent dehydration) for 24hrs then some kind of electrolyte balance fluid such as dioralyte the following day. The lack of salt and sugar after 24hrs made me shake and feel worse. I am not a doctor so proper medical advice is recommended over mine but this works for me. It is horrid, and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy!

[RandomMess]

I think it spreads more these days due to increased day to day mobility. Children don't go to their nearest schools, people mix socially more beyond nearest neighbourhood etc etc. Natural containment has disappeared.

[sashh]

Obviously it's easier to do with an older DC but cleanliness is the key.

Easier if you have more than one bathroom and children not sharing a bedroom too.

[EvenBetter]

I was reading about it online when I had it, it is airborne and highly contagious, one example I read was if someone who has it vomits in a toilet, even after the room has been cleaned the virus will still be there.

When I had it in 2010 everyone on the plane I was on would have caught it. Oooops! That was one of the worst days of my life, seriously.

So anti bac gels etc haven't effect because it's a virus, touching face isn't a good idea in winter anyway, but norovirus is airborne, so if you're going to get it you'll get it :(

On the plus side, for 14 weeks afterwards you'll be mostly immune to getting it again.

[wesolutka]

OhYouMerry you say there are different strains of the virus going around, does this mean you can get it twice?

Anyone had it more than once this winter?

[OhyouMerryLittleKitten]

Very sadly yes you can get it more than once. It's rather like flu or colds in that respect.

[CakathecorpulentChristmasElf]

Belgianbun Do you live in Belgium by any chance? Wierd because I have seen no news coverage at all about gastric flu or norovirus over here (Brussels) and wonder if it (a) really is worse in UK than in continental Europe or (b) the British media is hyping it up? Getting quite worried about my bi-annual trip to England ...

[ProudAS]

I think the media have a lot to answer for. Norovirus is no more common or dangerous now than when I was a child so why do we suddenly need all this hysteria about it???

Yes it can be dangerous or occasionally fatal but so can crossing the road!

[CakathecorpulentChristmasElf]

Phew BelgianBun and ProudAS - thanks for the reassurance! Really good to know that we don't have to be too vigilant

[Still washing my hands often and buying in bottles of Dettol just in case though!]

Wishing speedy recoveries to everyone out there who is suffering currently ...