2 Few simple measures to prevent Norovirus 2014

 Over the past recent months many people are asking what to do to protect themselves from norovirus. Recently in the news constantly reports of an outbreak of norovirus in several states and several cruise ships. This time, however, he changed into a different more resistant new Norovirus strain called Sydney (first discovered in Australia in 2012.). In addition to bad seasonal flu, which rages across the country, this is yet another health threat from which we must guard. I will try to provide you some information useful to reduce the risk of contracting norovirus. First, let me give you some information about this virus.

What is norovirus? 

You may have heard that Norovirus is a disease during the cruise because it often breaks out on cruise ships. Norovirus is often confused with "food poisoning" because it can get infected by eating food contaminated with the virus.
Norovirus however, spread on land, annually infects about 20 million people.

Norovirus lasts between 2 and 4 days with vomiting and diarrhea, leading to dehydration. Noroviruses can even resemble flu because both viral diseases have several similar symptoms. However, they are caused by the completely different viruses, and appear differently. Unlike the flu for norovirus has no vaccine and no specific drugs to treat symptoms such as Tamiflu in flu.

How to tell if you have flu or norovirus?

Flu, although similar symptoms with norovirus as nausea / vomiting, fever, muscle aches and fatigue is a viral disease that affects the respiratory system and is accompanied by character sentencing cough. Norovirus is a virus affecting the digestive system and is typically manifested by the following symptoms:

• Rapid onset of stomach cramps, nausea / vomiting / diarrhea 
• Noroviruses can lead to severe dehydration complications 

Although norovirus is usually not serious in most people, it may become one in very young children and the elderly due to dehydration. This is a complication of the virus from the loss of fluids in vomiting and diarrhea.




Important if you touch a norovirus is to make every effort to make up for lost fluids by drinking small sips of water or eat a few tablespoons of chicken soup, which will contribute to fluid retention in your body.

Dehydration can lead to other complications such as irregular heartbeat from electrolyte imbalance. Can lead to fainting. You may remember the case when Secretary of State Hillary Clinton fainted and hit his head. This was due to norovirus spent her last week. Dehydration can take you to the emergency room for intravenous fluids. Symptoms of dehydration include:

• Dry mouth and throat 
• Dizziness, loss of balance upright 
• Less urination with darker than normal urine 

How to reduce the risk of infection with norovirus 

Noroviruses spread in public places where there are crowds. It is the leading cause of disease caused by contaminated food. Particularly vulnerable are public salad bars, buffets offering leafy vegetables, fresh fruit and oysters, mussels and shrimp in which the food is touching many people. Wash your hands for at least 30 seconds with hot water and soap. Hand disinfectants kill the flu virus, but have little effect on norovirus.

With norovirus you catch and fruit and vegetables bought from the supermarket, if grasped by many people. Be sure to thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before you eat them. Norovirus is often spread by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching a hand to mouth, nose, eyes, where the virus can enter the body. Try not to touch your face, at least not before you wash your hands before.

People infected with norovirus by the moment the virus gets into them and remain infectious after a few days, the symptoms recede. If you are caring for sick norovirus, can reduce the spread of the virus by wearing gloves when collecting his clothes for washing. Wash your laundry at the highest temperature. Use detergent with bleach to clean surfaces in case of vomiting and / or diarrhea.

You can strengthen your own immune system in the following ways:

1. Optimal levels of vitamin D, make sure that your levels of vitamin D were more than 30 ng / dL (this will have to do a blood test). Take 500 mg of vitamin D daily during flu season.
2. Optimal levels of vitamin C. 500-1000 mg vitamin C, in divided doses throughout the day to assist the prevention of viral infections.
3. Optimum nutritious food. Make sure you have enough antioxidants, omega-3 fats, antiviral herbs such as garlic, onion, ginger in food. Also take a good multivitamin additional vitamin D3 and 1-2000 mg omega-3 fatty acids per day.

No need to get sick from norovirus. Following the most basic precautions such as simple hand washing and avoiding touching the face, along with the optimization of food so as to strengthen your immune system will do wonders for maintaining your health and preventing viruses throughout the winter.

Be healthy!