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Norovirus

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Food Borne Illness: Norovirus
Dezenia Giron
SCI/163
June 18, 2012
Franklin Keathley Norovirus Norovirus is a gastrointestinal illness; also known as Norwalk Virus. Norovirus has many names such as, Food Poison or Stomach Flu. Food Poison can be cause by eating food that may contain germs or bacteria. In most cases of food poison is from bacteria called Staphylococcus; another name for food poison is stomach bug or stomach virus. Stomach Flu it is not the same as Influenza or Flu. Stomach flu is gastroenteritis illness caused by a virus as a result of diarrhea and vomit. Norovirus can be transmitted from an infected person, contaminated water or food and if the contaminated surface is touching. The virus can cause the intestine or stomach to get inflamed, which leads of causing diarrhea, stomach pain, throw up, and nausea. Another example of how Norovirus transmit is DayCare centers, nursing homes/custodial institutions. Concerning food a person must be careful with oysters, raw shellfish, and anything grown in sewage-contaminated waters. Norovirus can also cause fever, headache, and body aches. Norovirus can lead to dehydration because of throw up, extremely illness, and diarrhea many times a day. Everyone is at risk; however, older adults, children, and people who have others illness such as, Diabetes or kidney disease are at higher risk for Norovirus. Cruise line requires reporting outbreaks sickness to the Centers for Disease Control if 3% or more reported with symptoms of Norovirus. On March 10, 2012 Princess Cruises “The Ruby Princess” experienced a Norovirus outbreak. Walker (2012), “the Centers for Disease Control reporting that 129 passengers 9 crewmembers suffered gastrointestinal illness” (para. ).
Norovirus can not be treated because is a vital infection. It does not have a specific medication. Doctors recommended drinking plenty of water to prevent dehydration and should not provide patient care or prepare food to anyone. Norovirus duration can be up to three days. According to "Centers For Disease Control And Prevention" (2012), " There is no vaccine to prevent Norovirus but research is being done” (para.). Norovirus can stay for two weeks or more.
To prevent Norovirus infection here are some tips that can be follow: Wash hands with water and soap for example, using the restroom, preparing food, before eating, and after changing dirty diapers.

Reference

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/norovirus The California Department of Public Health. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.cdph.ca.gov/healthinfo/discond/Pages/Norovirus.aspx Walker, J. (2012). Cruise Laws News. Retrieved from
http://www.cruiselawnews.com/articles/norovirus

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