The Norovirus

       I have been offline for a few days due to the bug going around here.  A week ago, over 200 elementary school children were absent from school and another 300 the Friday before.  The first tests returned a positive fro the norovirus.  Lovely.  Hundreds of kids sick forced to grin and bear it or tough it out until symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting kept them home, then they were sent back to school the next day while they were still contagious. 

Norovirus

Norovirus is a very contagious virus that can infect anyone. You can get it from an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces.
http://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/

     One of my homeowners came down with the same symptoms, took one day off and went back to work the next day.  Too bad for those who came into contact with her.  I practically swim in bleach, wash my hands regularly, do not touch other people's children and still five days after exposure to my homeowner, I feel I picked up some strain of the virus from a shopping excursion.  I stayed home and stayed as much to myself as possible, disinfecting everything I touched for two days.  My remote control got a little sticky Saturday....but, that's on me. 

Which hand sanitizers 

kill stomach flu viruses (especially norovirus)?

Answer: Clorox Hand Sanitizing Spray, Germstar Noro,  Zylast Antiseptic,  and Sterizar Hand Foamer   http://www.stopthestomachflu.com/Home/which-hand-sanitizers-kill-stomach-flu-viruses

        Meanwhile, my daughter-in-law is in the hospital.  Because of the current flu, viruses and colds going around, her symptoms were diagnosed as 'possible meningitis'.  Okay, she had an infection, saw her doctor, took her meds then felt better and overdid it.  She threw a yard sale, sitting out in the sun for sometime while she still had antibiotics in her bloodstream.  I can't blame her, when you have a few good days while you are pregnant, you do all you can to catch up or get ahead getting ready for the newcomer.  She overdid!  

    Worried, my son took her to the ER where her doctor practices and there she was frightened out of her skin by some casual talk about pregnant women with the flu often progress and develop meningitis.  Well, after the scare we had earlier this year with her husband, they wondered why her blood pressure spiked!  Seriously? Scare a loving lovely pregnant woman at the end of her second trimester then wonder why she looks and appears to be frightened.  Well, she is calming down now and will be completely hydrated, rested and home tomorrow.  

      My point today is, I suffered a lot less than others around me.  No matter how cautious I am or how much bleach I use in my work, I still felt icky all weekend.  I was careful to stay hydrated and to stay home.  It passed.  

     So, even though no one is home at the CDC website, (due to government shutdown) the front page still works!  SO, do what the feds suggest and your mother always told you.  Wash your hands all the way up, do not stop at the knuckles!  Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, pigs poop on the farm, you want to eat pig poop?  Cook shellfish thoroughly, that stuff is icky and dangerous raw.  Clean your house.  Clean surfaces, do your laundry, change your sheets, and your underwear while you're at it.  When you are sick, be sick.  Hydrate, rest, and disinfect your phone, tablet, keyboard and stop touching people! Share the love, but keep your germs to yourself!