7 Stomach flu 2013 - New strain of norovirus causes stomach flu epidemics.

Causes of stomach flu are the most common bacterial or viral. They are very contagious and can quickly spread through contaminated water or food. The infection is transmitted between humans by the faecal - oral route, due to poor hygiene contaminates food and water.

Usually stomach flu caused by a virus continues one - two days. The gastroenteritis caused by bacteria takes, just so long.

In adults stomach flu is caused most often by Norovirus, about 50% to 70% of cases. Norovirus is very contagious and spreads rapidly through contaminated food and water or by touching contaminated surfaces and then putting your hands in your mouth. Norovirus can spread quickly at home or wherever there are many people clumped together.

The new norovirus "Sydney 2012" is not associated with worse symptoms than other strains noroviruses. It can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and sometimes - fever, headache and stomach cramps.

Norovirus causes acute viral gastroenteritis, often called stomach flu or food poisoning.

Stomach flu symptoms for Norovirus infection include:

Diarrhea
Vomiting
Nausea
Stomach pain
Aching muscles
Headache
Fever

Stomach flu symptoms duration:

Usually stomach flu symptoms last a few days, but often serious. Generally people spreading the virus, while continuing to vomit and have diarrhea, especially from the moment they begin feeling ill to at least three days after symptoms subside. The virus can be detected in the faeces for at least 2-3 weeks.



How can we be infected with Norovirus?

Most often, people get infected in any of the following cases:

• Eating contaminated food or drink;
• Touching surfaces or objects to and subsequent putting hands in the mouth;
• Direct contact with a person who is infected and has symptoms such as caring for someone who is sick or eating the same foods or using the same eating utensils with someone who is sick.

What are the ways to prevent stomach flu caused by Norovirus?

The best way to protect yourself from this virus is to enhance personal hygiene and avoid places with many people.
 Wash your hands for 20 seconds, especially after you went to the bathroom, you changed diapers, before eating or before cooking meals.
 Before consumption, carefully wash fruits and vegetables.
 Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces well, once disease using detergent containing bleach.
 Following infection, immediately change clothes and linens that may be contaminated with the virus (use soap and hot water).
 Wash and clean the vomit and / or faeces in the toilet and make sure that the area around it is clean.

Persons who are infected with Norovirus should not prepare while having these symptoms. They should continue to avoid preparing for at least three days after they have healed. Food that may be contaminated by an ill person should be thrown out.
It is important not to confuse people "stomach flu" with  "seasonal flu", which is also most common in the winter months.

In the U.S., the Centre for Control and Prevention of Diseases show that Noroviruses cause 21 million illnesses annually. Of these, 70,000 cases require hospitalization and approximately 800 are fatal.

Ian Gudfelou scientist who examined 10 years of noroviruses, described them as "Ferrari" in the world of viruses and as one of the most contagious viruses to humans.
Noroviruses are a group of viruses responsible for more than half the outbreaks of stomach flu diseases in the world.

If stomach flu symptoms do not subside in two days, seek medical advice. It can lead to dehydration and complications occur. Try to take as many liquids for the duration of the symptoms of stomach flu. Find out how to eat for the duration of the stomach flu symptoms.