hi everyone!!
I attended a safety,health training yesterday and was informed about the Norovirus ''winter bug'' and wanna share the links ..take care everyone!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norovirus
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Norovir.../Symptoms.aspx
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Norovir...Treatment.aspx
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Norovir...revention.aspx
Norovirus (formerly Norwalk agent) is an RNA virus (taxonomic family Caliciviridae) that causes approximately 90% of epidemic non-bacterial outbreaks of gastroenteritis around the world,[1] and may be responsible for 50% of all foodborne outbreaks of gastroenteritis in the US.[2][3] Norovirus affects people of all ages. The viruses are transmitted by faecally contaminated food or water, by person-to-person contact,[4] and via aerosolization of the virus and subsequent contamination of surfaces.[5]
After infection, immunity to norovirus is usually incomplete and temporary.[6] There is an inherited predisposition to infection, and individuals with blood type O are more often infected,[1][7] while blood types B and AB can confer partial protection against symptomatic infection.[8][9]
Outbreaks of norovirus infection often occur in closed or semi-closed communities, such as long-term care facilities, overnight camps, hospitals, prisons, dormitories, and cruise ships where the infection spreads very rapidly either by person-to-person transmission or through contaminated food.[10] Many norovirus outbreaks have been traced to food that was handled by one infected person.[11]
Norovirus is rapidly inactivated by either sufficient heating or by chlorine-based disinfectants, but the virus is less susceptible to alcohols and detergents as it does not have a lipid envelope.[12]
Symptoms of norovirus :
The first sign of norovirus is usually a sudden sick feeling followed by forceful vomiting and watery diarrhoea.
Some people may also have:
a raised temperature (over 38C/100.4F)
headaches
stomach cramps
aching limbs
Symptoms usually appear one to two days after you become infected but they can start sooner. Most people make a full recovery within a couple of days.
Apart from the risk of dehydration, the illness is not generally dangerous and there are usually no long-lasting effects from having norovirus. However, it can be pretty unpleasant while you have it.
Dehydration
The main risk from norovirus is dehydration from your body losing water and salts from vomiting and diarrhoea.
The first sign of dehydration is thirst. Other symptoms are:
dizziness or light-headedness
headache
tiredness
dry mouth, lips and eyes
dark, concentrated urine
passing only small amounts of urine (fewer than three or four times a day)
Mild dehydration is common and can be easily reversed by making sure you have plenty to drink.
Dehydration is more of a risk in the very young and the elderly. It's important that you get medical attention straight away if you think your child is becoming dehydrated.
Severe dehydration
If you do not replace the lost fluid, dehydration will get worse and could lead to complications such as low blood pressure and kidney failure, and can even be fatal.
As well as severe thirst, you may also have:
dry, wrinkled skin
an inability to urinate
irritability
sunken eyes
a weak pulse
a rapid heartbeat
cold hands and feet
seizures
Treatment:
There is no specific treatment for norovirus.
It's best to let the illness run its course and your body usually fights off the infection within a couple of days. You don't need to see a doctor.
It is important to have plenty to drink and, if you feel the need, paracetamol for any fever or aches and pains.
Try to eat foods that are easy to digest, such as soup, rice, pasta and bread. Babies should continue with their normal feeds.
To reduce the risk of passing the virus onto others, wash your hands regularly and stay at home until you are clear of symptoms for 48 hours.
Avoid dehydration
Drinking plenty of fluids is particularly important for young children and the elderly, as they are more prone to dehydration. They will need urgent medical treatment if they start to show signs of dehydration.
A healthy adult should drink about 1.2 litres (six to eight glasses) of fluid every day to stop getting dehydrated. Someone with norovirus will need to drink more than that to replace the fluids lost from vomiting and diarrhoea.
Suitable drinks include water, squashes and fruit juice. If you are finding it hard to keep down fluids, try to take small sips more frequently to keep yourself hydrated.
Infants and small chidlren should receive frequent sips of water even if they vomit. A small amount of fluid is better than none. Avoid giving fruit juices and carbonated drinks to children under the age of five, as these can worsen diarrhoea.
Read more about treating babies and children with diarrhoea or who are vomiting.
Preventing Norovirus:
Getting norovirus cannot always be avoided, but good hygiene can help to limit the virus spreading.
Tips to help stop the virus spreading:
Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet and before preparing food.
Do not share towels and flannels.
Disinfect any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated with the virus. It is best to use a bleach-based household cleaner.
Wash any clothing or bedding that could have become contaminated with the virus. Wash the items separately and on a hot wash to ensure that the virus is killed.
Flush away any infected faeces or vomit in the toilet and clean the surrounding toilet area.
Avoid eating raw, unwashed produce and only eat oysters from a reliable source. Oysters have been known to carry the norovirus.
so much, Mari ... for taking the time to share this extremely useful health warning with us all; it's GREATLY appreciated. 
