Tired of respiratory viruses this winter? Not so fast. Norovirus has entered the room. Norovirus—a virus that causes stomach cramping, intense episodes of vomiting and diarrhea, and sometimes fevers—is taking off in the Northern Hemisphere. If we had a storm system for viruses, this might be deemed a sh… you get it.
You alluded to my biggest concern with Norovirus: Store bought disinfectants do NOT kill this 'hard-to-kill' virus. Many long term care facilities use less expensive products to clean and disinfect that also do not have a norovirus claim on their label. My facility that I used to work at was typical of using a non-Norovirus product, and once we were in outbreak, would bring out 'the good stuff', with a quick kill claim for Norovirus. Day Cares and schools also usually use disinfectant products that do not have a norovirus claim. I would really like to see disinfectants that have at least two small, non-enveloped viruses on their label: Norovirus (feline calicivirus or murine norovirus - as surrogates) AND either Rhinovirus, Enteroviruses, or Poliovirus (a test virus companies use to check efficacy against these harder to kill viruses). Hepatitis A is also a small, non-enveloped virus. Anyone working in a setting where people gather needs to be aware of the limitations of disinfectants that they may be using on surfaces.
Just waiting for the Cochrane meta-analysis demonstrating that hand washing doesn't work, followed by right wing media hyperventilating about this plot by Big Soap to strip away our precious epithelial cells. /s
While it is certainly true that norovirus outbreaks are a problem in nursing homes and similar facilities, the apparent predominance of outbreaks in that setting is driven by artifacts of the federal and state surveillance systems. As compared to all noro outbreaks, those in nursing homes are more likely to be documented and investigated by public health agencies, because their residents are at increased risk for bad outcomes.
SOLUTIONS! Noro is truly the Megalodon of stomach bugs; had it at least twice w one ER visit, so now when the sirens go off & numbers go up: (1) I wear... (please don't laugh)... plastic folding sandwich bags on my hands! Because (ANYTHING) is better than the projectile vomiting (with simultaneous... yes it was simultaneous) explosive diarrhea...; (2) I now place a folded piece of heavy duty aluminum foil in my pocket & place it on shopping cart handle at the food store; it's fast, easy, portable, cheap, safe & gets easily trashed on my wait out of the food store.
Noro is going through my extended family and I'm just sort of waiting for my infant, my husband and myself to get infected. I feel like information/guidelines are contradictory - it lasts on surfaces for weeks and it can be shed in stool for weeks yet infected can return to work, daycare etc 48-72 hours after cessation of symptoms? I'd like to see my recently infected family but don't want to get sick from fomites. This is my least favorite virus right now :(
My genetic testing by 23 and me says that I am resistant to norovirus. Is this a thing? What does it mean, and do you know how prevalent that resistance is? Thank you for all you do.
And "Yes" I do realize that the food packaging at the store is also potentially contaminated so I treat it as "contaminated" & proceed to use throw away surgical gloves.... And "Yes" I AM an experienced, totally flaming germ-a-phobe & proud of it! ;)
Very much appreciate this clear information. My 94 year old mom, in San Diego, told me of symptoms exactly like those Dr. Jetelina describes. She thought at the time it was nerves. I suspected not, but had no good information to give her. Fortunately she is OK. I am appreciative that I can now give her solid information, including how to best protect herself. Also, as Dr. Jetelina is now a fellow San Diegan, that gives Dr. Jetelina extra points with my Mom in street cred.
I had Norovirus on a cruise ship 3 years ago. Will that give me some immunity? My husband never got sick. The captain said according to CDC, that our cruise had the 3rd highest percentage of sick travelers on a cruise ship. I am blood type A+ and he is B+. Does blood type have any effect on susceptibility to infection with Norovirus?
I work in daycare. We don't use commercial products, we make our own bleach solution everyday.
We use 1 tbs of regular bleach per 32 oz of water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on surfaces and let sit for a few minutes. Then wipe with a paper towel.
I just had it, (went out to a local food festival and drank right out of a bottle...BIG mistake). My symptoms were unlike anything I'd ever had before. No actual pain, just some unwelcome manifestations.
Fortunately there is a remedy, and it works. Activated charcoal binds to the virus and you excrete it. I won't be more technical. I got the information from my sister, who uses activated charcoal capsules for all intestinal problems. This worked better for me than imodium did. You must take the capsules three hours after medication, since it will remove that from your system too. After two doses (four capsules) on two different days, I am internally apparently normal. But I'm four days over it, and not preparing food for anyone but me and my cats (and I don't touch the cats' food.)
You mention that norovirus latches onto cells in your gut. I'm just wondering if there have been any studies that show that use of probiotics might help fight the virus in the gut and reduce the severity or duration of symptoms.
This is so timely; Norovirus is working through our house now. What I’m curious about is, those of us who had it first, are we at risk of reinfection either from out in the community or from a family member who had it days later? How long should we expect some level of protection from our own infection?
You alluded to my biggest concern with Norovirus: Store bought disinfectants do NOT kill this 'hard-to-kill' virus. Many long term care facilities use less expensive products to clean and disinfect that also do not have a norovirus claim on their label. My facility that I used to work at was typical of using a non-Norovirus product, and once we were in outbreak, would bring out 'the good stuff', with a quick kill claim for Norovirus. Day Cares and schools also usually use disinfectant products that do not have a norovirus claim. I would really like to see disinfectants that have at least two small, non-enveloped viruses on their label: Norovirus (feline calicivirus or murine norovirus - as surrogates) AND either Rhinovirus, Enteroviruses, or Poliovirus (a test virus companies use to check efficacy against these harder to kill viruses). Hepatitis A is also a small, non-enveloped virus. Anyone working in a setting where people gather needs to be aware of the limitations of disinfectants that they may be using on surfaces.
Just waiting for the Cochrane meta-analysis demonstrating that hand washing doesn't work, followed by right wing media hyperventilating about this plot by Big Soap to strip away our precious epithelial cells. /s
There you go again, helping keep us all informed and safer! No way to thank you enough for your clear perspectives and sound reasoning! 🙏🏽
While it is certainly true that norovirus outbreaks are a problem in nursing homes and similar facilities, the apparent predominance of outbreaks in that setting is driven by artifacts of the federal and state surveillance systems. As compared to all noro outbreaks, those in nursing homes are more likely to be documented and investigated by public health agencies, because their residents are at increased risk for bad outcomes.
SOLUTIONS! Noro is truly the Megalodon of stomach bugs; had it at least twice w one ER visit, so now when the sirens go off & numbers go up: (1) I wear... (please don't laugh)... plastic folding sandwich bags on my hands! Because (ANYTHING) is better than the projectile vomiting (with simultaneous... yes it was simultaneous) explosive diarrhea...; (2) I now place a folded piece of heavy duty aluminum foil in my pocket & place it on shopping cart handle at the food store; it's fast, easy, portable, cheap, safe & gets easily trashed on my wait out of the food store.
Noro is going through my extended family and I'm just sort of waiting for my infant, my husband and myself to get infected. I feel like information/guidelines are contradictory - it lasts on surfaces for weeks and it can be shed in stool for weeks yet infected can return to work, daycare etc 48-72 hours after cessation of symptoms? I'd like to see my recently infected family but don't want to get sick from fomites. This is my least favorite virus right now :(
My genetic testing by 23 and me says that I am resistant to norovirus. Is this a thing? What does it mean, and do you know how prevalent that resistance is? Thank you for all you do.
And "Yes" I do realize that the food packaging at the store is also potentially contaminated so I treat it as "contaminated" & proceed to use throw away surgical gloves.... And "Yes" I AM an experienced, totally flaming germ-a-phobe & proud of it! ;)
Very much appreciate this clear information. My 94 year old mom, in San Diego, told me of symptoms exactly like those Dr. Jetelina describes. She thought at the time it was nerves. I suspected not, but had no good information to give her. Fortunately she is OK. I am appreciative that I can now give her solid information, including how to best protect herself. Also, as Dr. Jetelina is now a fellow San Diegan, that gives Dr. Jetelina extra points with my Mom in street cred.
I had Norovirus on a cruise ship 3 years ago. Will that give me some immunity? My husband never got sick. The captain said according to CDC, that our cruise had the 3rd highest percentage of sick travelers on a cruise ship. I am blood type A+ and he is B+. Does blood type have any effect on susceptibility to infection with Norovirus?
I work in daycare. We don't use commercial products, we make our own bleach solution everyday.
We use 1 tbs of regular bleach per 32 oz of water in a spray bottle. Spray the solution on surfaces and let sit for a few minutes. Then wipe with a paper towel.
“If we had a storm system for viruses, this might be deemed a sh… SHENANIGAN!”
Just in time for St. Pat’s. Hope I’m not wearin’ this sort of green 🤢
I just had it, (went out to a local food festival and drank right out of a bottle...BIG mistake). My symptoms were unlike anything I'd ever had before. No actual pain, just some unwelcome manifestations.
Fortunately there is a remedy, and it works. Activated charcoal binds to the virus and you excrete it. I won't be more technical. I got the information from my sister, who uses activated charcoal capsules for all intestinal problems. This worked better for me than imodium did. You must take the capsules three hours after medication, since it will remove that from your system too. After two doses (four capsules) on two different days, I am internally apparently normal. But I'm four days over it, and not preparing food for anyone but me and my cats (and I don't touch the cats' food.)
Any evidence or data in wastewater sampling?
You mention that norovirus latches onto cells in your gut. I'm just wondering if there have been any studies that show that use of probiotics might help fight the virus in the gut and reduce the severity or duration of symptoms.
This is so timely; Norovirus is working through our house now. What I’m curious about is, those of us who had it first, are we at risk of reinfection either from out in the community or from a family member who had it days later? How long should we expect some level of protection from our own infection?