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From: "Dave Milk" <dave..._at_hotmail.com>
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References: <BAY120-F61BC5546EB69A0E8334E684760_at_phx.gbl>
Subject: Re: [TSCM-L] {1400} RE: [TSCM-L] Norovirus - Face Masks
Date: Mon, 19 Mar 2007 23:08:17 -0400
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a few years ago I was hospitalized with "ARDS" , during
----- Original Message -----=20
From: Reginald Curtis=20
To: TSCM-..._at_googlegroups.com=20
Cc: garya_..._at_hotmail.com=20
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2007 4:16 PM
Subject: [TSCM-L] {1400} RE: [TSCM-L] Norovirus - Face Masks
This is an addition to the idea of planning ahead re health issues. For t=
hose of you who think this should not be on the list, please ignore and mov=
e on. And please, keep your gratuitous snotty remarks to yourself. Some tim=
e ago, Toronto was struck by a SARS epidemic which aside from killing peopl=
e, did serious economic damage. This is an OP-Ed piece from the New York Ti=
mes of October 25/06.
"FACE FACTS
by Lawrence M. Wein
Correction Appended
Stanford, California
Despite all the attention given to anthrax and smallpox and potential wea=
pons of mass destruction, pandemic influenza is probably the world's most s=
erious near-term public health threat. If a strain similar in affect to the=
1918 Spanish flu (which killed tens of millions of people worldwide) emerg=
es in the next several years, it is highly likely that an effective vaccine=
will not be available during the pandemics first wave, that we won't have =
enough antiviral drugs for large-scale prohylactic use, and hospitals will =
be too overwhelmed to treat most cases.
Consequently, as in 1918, we will need to combine medical efforts with vo=
luntary and forced social changes - closing schools and churches, cancellin=
g public gatherings, keeping workers at home - to hinder the flu's spread. =
Our government must draw up a plan for educating the public about effective=
nonpharmaceutical interventions like hand washing and face protection like=
masks.
A prerequisite for doing so is determining the biggist culprit in spreadi=
ng influenaa: droplet transmission, in which an infected person sneezes or =
coughs directly into the mouth, nose or eyes of someone who is susceptible;=
contact transmission, in which virus is transferred by hands either direct=
ly, say, through a handshake, or indirectly through an object like a doorkn=
ob; and aerosol transmission, in which evaporated virus-containing particle=
are inhaled.
Remarkably, this issue has not been resolved: the Department of Health an=
d Human Services' Pandemic Influenza Plan states that 'the relative clinica=
l importance of each of these modes of transmission is not known.' As a res=
ult, the government enthusiastically endorses frequent hand washing - which=
would reduce contact transmission, and costs nothing - but remains noncomm=
ittal about face protection. While the government says that it might be be=
neficial, it doesn't make respirators or masks available. Yet face protecti=
on would guard against aerosal and droplet transmission, and even reduce co=
ntact transmission by making it difficult to place fingers into one's mouth=
or nose.
A Stanford graduate student, Michael Atkinson, and I recently performed a=
detailed study of the routes of transmission, using data on influenza and =
on rhinovirus, which causes the common cold. Our findings suggest that the =
dominant mode of transmission for influenza is aerosol - implying that hand=
washing will make little difference. This is consistent with the views of =
leading researchers several decades ago, views that somehow have been forgo=
tten by the public health community.
We found that ventilation, like placing a fan in an open window, and humi=
difiers (most influenza strains survive in the air for much less time when =
the humidity is raised to about 65 percent) can reduce transmission slightl=
y. Sleeping in separate bedrooms (and working in separate offices) can help=
even more.
But the single most effective intervention is face protection. And becaus=
e roughly one-third of influenza transmissions occur before an infected per=
son exhibits symptoms, these precautions should be taken whenever people ar=
e in the same room throughout the pandemic period.
There are two kinds of face protenction: N95 respirators, as worn by cons=
truction workers, for instance, and surgical masks of the sort worn by dent=
al hygienists. (The respirators cost roughly a dollar apiece, the surgical =
masks 10 cents.) Their efficacy in preventing aerosol transmission depends =
on three factors: the extent to which the face filter prevents virus partic=
les from passing through, how tightly the device fits and - most important-=
how long people can be coerced into wearing them.
To our surprise, we found that the filters in surgical masks, although no=
t as good as the filters in the N95 respirators, are still quite effective.=
And although a surgical mask fits much more loosely and allows more leakag=
e, it's also more comfortable - and therefore likely to be effective becaus=
e it's used more. Wearing nylon hosiery over a surgical mask essentially e=
liminates the face leakage, making this combination a practical, albiet mac=
abre, alternative. The less comfortable N95 respirators would propably resu=
lt in lower compliance.
The government doesn't stockpile masks and respirators, and the manufactu=
rers aren't able to produce a huge number of them quickly. But the way forw=
ard seems clear: the government needs to build up a supply of respirators a=
nd masks just as it does with vaccines and antivirals. It should first hire=
a whiz-bang design company to create, within one month, a surgical mask th=
at comfortably adheres to the face, and then decide on the appropriate mix =
of respirators and masks. Next, it needs to sign contracts with manufacture=
rs to stockpile masks and respirators, relieving the manufacturers of liabi=
lity issues.
Although there is very little technological risk involved (masks and resp=
irators are easier to make and safer than vaccines), several issues need to=
be ironed out. First, the effectiveness of N95 respirators and masks vary =
widely. The government needs to educate the public (the brands are anonymou=
s in the published studies) and should stockpile only the most effective br=
ands.
Also, if respirators and masks are discarded daily, as they are in many h=
ospitals, the national demand during a three-month pandemic could be 10 to =
20 billion, and the cost of respirators for a family of four several hundre=
d dollars. Such waste isn't necessary. The virus does not survive longer th=
an a few hours on the material used for masks and respirators, so they shou=
ld be re-used until they disintegrate.
The government and the public health community must switch mindsets, from=
the current perspective of protecting workers paid to do a dangerous job e=
veryday, to that of providing ciitizens with the tools best to protect them=
selves during a pandemic.
It may take 18 months to build a stockpile of respirators and masks, so t=
here is no time to lose. The American people's faith in their government wi=
ll be seriously undermined if, along with larger measures like school closi=
ngs, it cannot provide effective face protection for its citizens during a =
deadly pandemic. Masks and respirators may be our main lines of defense dur=
ing a pandemic.
Lawrence M.Wein is a professor at Stanford's graduate school of business.
Correction: October 28, 2006
An Op-Ed article on Wednesday, about preventatives during an influenza pa=
ndemic, incorrectly stated that the government had not stockpiled masks and=
respirators. The Centers for Disease Control has a stockpile of 74.3 milli=
on respirators and 45.5 million masks."
Note: In a private communication from Prof.Wein, he stated that a mask or=
respirator should be worn "[a]ny place where you are in a room with anothe=
r person (unless you've all been isolated for 5 days from the outside world=
)."
The end
Reg Curtis/VE9RWC
---------------------------------------------------------------------------=
-
From: "James M. Atkinson" <jm..._at_tscm.com>
Reply-To: TSCM-..._at_googlegroups.com
To: TSCM-L <TSCM-..._at_googlegroups.com>
Subject: [TSCM-L] Norovirus
Date: Fri, 09 Mar 2007 13:38:32 -0500
>
>
>Please read the following:
>
>A lot of companies in the North-East are having
>this hit them rather hard, a lot of security
>departments have half their department out sick
>with this, and several sweep folks have gotten
>sidelined for over a week when this hit them. It
>is not the kind of thing that you want to have hit you when your trave=
ling.
>
>If you get this your best bet is to stay home
>until it totally clears up, see your doctor as
>quickly as possible, hydrate-hydrate-hydrate, and wash your hands ofte=
n.
>
>-jma
>
>
>
>
>
>http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/norovirus-qa.htm
>
>What are noroviruses?
>
>Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause the
>"stomach flu," or gastroenteritis
>(GAS-tro-en-ter-I-tis), in people. The term
>norovirus was recently approved as the official
>name for this group of viruses. Several other
>names have been used for noroviruses, including:
>
>Norwalk-like viruses (NLVs)
>caliciviruses (because they belong to the virus family Caliciviridae)
>small round structured viruses.
>Viruses are very different from bacteria and
>parasites, some of which can cause illnesses
>similar to norovirus infection. Like all viral
>infections, noroviruses are not affected by
>treatment with antibiotics, and cannot grow outside of a person's body=
.
>
>What are the symptoms of illness caused by noroviruses?
>
>The symptoms of norovirus illness usually include
>nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach
>cramping. Sometimes people additionally have a
>low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches,
>and a general sense of tiredness. The illness
>often begins suddenly, and the infected person
>may feel very sick. In most people the illness is
>self-limiting with symptoms lasting for about 1
>or 2 days. In general, children experience more
>vomiting than adults. Most people with norovirus
>illness have both of these symptoms.
>
>
>
>What is the name of the illness caused by noroviruses?
>
>Illness caused by norovirus infection has several names, including:
>
>stomach flu - this "stomach flu" is not related
>to the flu (or influenza), which is a respiratory
>illness caused by influenza virus.
>viral gastroenteritis - the most common name for
>illness caused by norovirus. Gastroenteritis
>refers to an inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
>acute gastroenteritis
>non-bacterial gastroenteritis
>food poisoning (although there are other causes of food poisoning)
>calicivirus infection
>How serious is norovirus disease?
>
>People may feel very sick and vomit many times a
>day, but most people get better within 1 or 2
>days, and they have no long-term health effects
>related to their illness. However, sometimes
>people are unable to drink enough liquids to
>replace the liquids they lost because of vomiting
>and diarrhea. These persons can become dehydrated
>and may need special medical attention. This
>problem with dehydration is usually only seen
>among the very young, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune sy=
stems.
>
>How do people become infected with noroviruses?
>
>Noroviruses are found in the stool or vomit of
>infected people. People can become infected with
>the virus in several ways, including:
>
>eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus;
>touching surfaces or objects contaminated with
>norovirus, and then placing their hand in their mouth;
>having direct contact with another person who is
>infected and showing symptoms (for example, when
>caring for someone with illness, or sharing foods
>or eating utensils with someone who is ill).
>Persons working in day-care centers or nursing
>homes should pay special attention to children or
>residents who have norovirus illness. This virus
>is very contagious and can spread rapidly throughout such environments=
.
>
>
>
>When do symptoms appear?
>
>Symptoms of norovirus illness usually begin about
>24 to 48 hours after ingestion of the virus, but
>they can appear as early as 12 hours after exposure.
>
>Are noroviruses contagious?
>
>Noroviruses are very contagious and can spread
>easily from person to person. Both stool and
>vomit are infectious. Particular care should be
>taken with young children in diapers who may have
>diarrhea.How long are people contagious?
>
>People infected with norovirus are contagious
>from the moment they begin feeling ill to at
>least 3 days after recovery. Some people may be
>contagious for as long as 2 weeks after recovery.
>Therefore, it is particularly important for
>people to use good handwashing and other hygienic
>practices after they have recently recovered from norovirus illness.
>
>Who gets norovirus infection?
>
>Anyone can become infected with these viruses.
>There are many different strains of norovirus,
>which makes it difficult for a person's body to
>develop long-lasting immunity. Therefore,
>norovirus illness can recur throughout a person's
>lifetime. In addition, because of differences in
>genetic factors, some people are more likely to
>become infected and develop more severe illness than others.
>
>What treatment is available for people with norovirus infection?
>
>Currently, there is no antiviral medication that
>works against norovirus and there is no vaccine
>to prevent infection. Norovirus infection cannot
>be treated with antibiotics. This is because
>antibiotics work to fight bacteria and not viruses.
>
>Norovirus illness is usually brief in healthy
>individuals. When people are ill with vomiting
>and diarrhea, they should drink plenty of fluids
>to prevent dehydration. Dehydration among young
>children, the elderly, the sick, can be common,
>and it is the most serious health effect that can
>result from norovirus infection. By drinking oral
>rehydration fluids (ORF), juice, or water, people
>can reduce their chance of becoming dehydrated.
>Sports drinks do not replace the nutrients and
>minerals lost during this illness.
>
>Can norovirus infections be prevented?
>
>You can decrease your chance of coming in contact
>with noroviruses by following these preventive steps:
>
>Frequently wash your hands, especially after
>toilet visits and changing diapers and before eating or preparing food=
.
>Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and steam oysters before eating =
them.
>Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated
>surfaces immediately after an episode of illness
>by using a bleach-based household cleaner.
>Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens
>that may be contaminated with virus after an
>episode of illness (use hot water and soap).
>Flush or discard any vomitus and/or stool in the
>toilet and make sure that the surrounding area is kept clean.
>Persons who are infected with norovirus should
>not prepare food while they have symptoms and for
>3 days after they recover from their illness (see
>food handler information sheet). Food that may
>have been contaminated by an ill person should be disposed of properly=
.
>
>
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------=
------------------------------
> World Class, Professional, Ethical, and Competent Bug Sweeps, and
>Wiretap Detection using Sophisticated Laboratory Grade Test Equipment.
>----------------------------------------------------------------------=
------------------------------
> James M. Atkinson Phone: (978) 546-3803
> Granite Island Group Fax: (978) 546-9467
> 127 Eastern Avenue #291 Web: http://www.tscm.com/
> Gloucester, MA 01931-8008 E-mail: mailto:jm..._at_tscm.com
>----------------------------------------------------------------------=
------------------------------
> We perform bug sweeps like it's a full contact sport, we take no pris=
oners,
>and we give no quarter. Our goal is to simply, and completely stop the=
spy.
>----------------------------------------------------------------------=
------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>
=20
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<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>a few years ago I was hospitalized with "A=
RDS" ,=20
during</FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=3Dltr=20
style=3D"PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LE=
FT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV=20
style=3D"BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>Fro=
m:</B>=20
<A title=3Dreginal..._at_hotmail.com=20
href=3D"mailto:reginal..._at_hotmail.com">Reginald Curtis</A> </DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=3DTSCM-..._at_googlegrou=
ps.com=20
href=3D"mailto:TSCM-..._at_googlegroups.com">TSCM-..._at_googlegroups.com</A>=
=20
</DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Cc:</B> <A title=3Dgarya_..._at_hotmail.c=
om=20
href=3D"mailto:garya_..._at_hotmail.com">garya_..._at_hotmail.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Monday, March 19, 2007 4:16=
=20
PM</DIV>
<DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> [TSCM-L] {1400} RE: [TSCM=
-L]=20
Norovirus - Face Masks</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV>
<P>This is an addition to the idea of planning ahead re health issues. Fo=
r=20
those of you who think this should not be on the list, please ignore and =
move=20
on. And please, keep your gratuitous snotty remarks to yourself. Some tim=
e=20
ago, Toronto was struck by a SARS epidemic which aside from killing peopl=
e,=20
did serious economic damage. This is an OP-Ed piece from the <STRONG>New =
York=20
Times </STRONG>of October 25/06.<BR><BR>"FACE FACTS</P>
<P>by Lawrence M. Wein</P>
<P>Correction Appended</P>
<P>Stanford, California</P>
<P>Despite all the attention given to anthrax and smallpox and potential=
=20
weapons of mass destruction, pandemic influenza is probably the world's m=
ost=20
serious near-term public health threat. If a strain similar in affect to =
the=20
1918 Spanish flu (which killed tens of millions of people worldwide) emer=
ges=20
in the next several years, it is highly likely that an effective vaccine =
will=20
not be available during the pandemics first wave, that we won't have enou=
gh=20
antiviral drugs for large-scale prohylactic use, and hospitals will be to=
o=20
overwhelmed to treat most cases.</P>
<P>Consequently, as in 1918, we will need to combine medical efforts with=
=20
voluntary and forced social changes - closing schools and churches, cance=
lling=20
public gatherings, keeping workers at home - to hinder the flu's spread. =
Our=20
government must draw up a plan for educating the public about effective=
=20
nonpharmaceutical interventions like hand washing and face protection lik=
e=20
masks.</P>
<P>A prerequisite for doing so is determining the biggist culprit in spre=
ading=20
influenaa: droplet transmission, in which an infected person sneezes or c=
oughs=20
directly into the mouth, nose or eyes of someone who is susceptible; cont=
act=20
transmission, in which virus is transferred by hands either directly, say=
,=20
through a handshake, or indirectly through an object like a doorknob; and=
=20
aerosol transmission, in which evaporated virus-containing particle are=
=20
inhaled.</P>
<P>Remarkably, this issue has not been resolved: the Department of Health=
and=20
Human Services' Pandemic Influenza Plan states that 'the relative clinica=
l=20
importance of each of these modes of transmission is not known.' As a res=
ult,=20
the government enthusiastically endorses frequent hand washing - which wo=
uld=20
reduce contact transmission, and costs nothing - but remains=20
noncommittal about face protection. While the government says that =
it=20
might be beneficial, it doesn't make respirators or masks available. Yet =
face=20
protection would guard against aerosal and droplet transmission, and even=
=20
reduce contact transmission by making it difficult to place fingers into =
one's=20
mouth or nose.</P>
<P>A Stanford graduate student, Michael Atkinson, and I recently performe=
d a=20
detailed study of the routes of transmission, using data on influenza and=
on=20
rhinovirus, which causes the common cold. Our findings suggest that the=
=20
dominant mode of transmission for influenza is aerosol - implying that ha=
nd=20
washing will make little difference. This is consistent with the views of=
=20
leading researchers several decades ago, views that somehow have been=20
forgotten by the public health community.</P>
<P>We found that ventilation, like placing a fan in an open window, and=
=20
humidifiers (most influenza strains survive in the air for much less time=
when=20
the humidity is raised to about 65 percent) can reduce transmission sligh=
tly.=20
Sleeping in separate bedrooms (and working in separate offices) can help =
even=20
more.</P>
<P>But the single most effective intervention is face protection. And bec=
ause=20
roughly one-third of influenza transmissions occur before an infected per=
son=20
exhibits symptoms, these precautions should be taken whenever people are =
in=20
the same room throughout the pandemic period.</P>
<P>There are two kinds of face protenction: N95 respirators, as worn by=
=20
construction workers, for instance, and surgical masks of the sort worn b=
y=20
dental hygienists. (The respirators cost roughly a dollar apiece, the sur=
gical=20
masks 10 cents.) Their efficacy in preventing aerosol transmission depend=
s on=20
three factors: the extent to which the face filter prevents virus particl=
es=20
from passing through, how tightly the device fits and - most important- h=
ow=20
long people can be coerced into wearing them.</P>
<P>To our surprise, we found that the filters in surgical masks, although=
not=20
as good as the filters in the N95 respirators, are still quite effective.=
And=20
although a surgical mask fits much more loosely and allows more leakage, =
it's=20
also more comfortable - and therefore likely to be effective because it's=
used=20
more. Wearing nylon hosiery over a surgical mask essentially elimin=
ates=20
the face leakage, making this combination a practical, albiet macabre,=20
alternative. The less comfortable N95 respirators would propably result i=
n=20
lower compliance.</P>
<P>The government doesn't stockpile masks and respirators, and the=20
manufacturers aren't able to produce a huge number of them quickly. But t=
he=20
way forward seems clear: the government needs to build up a supply of=20
respirators and masks just as it does with vaccines and antivirals. It sh=
ould=20
first hire a whiz-bang design company to create, within one month, a surg=
ical=20
mask that comfortably adheres to the face, and then decide on the appropr=
iate=20
mix of respirators and masks. Next, it needs to sign contracts with=20
manufacturers to stockpile masks and respirators, relieving the manufactu=
rers=20
of liability issues.</P>
<P>Although there is very little technological risk involved (masks and=
=20
respirators are easier to make and safer than vaccines), several issues n=
eed=20
to be ironed out. First, the effectiveness of N95 respirators and masks v=
ary=20
widely. The government needs to educate the public (the brands are anonym=
ous=20
in the published studies) and should stockpile only the most effective=20
brands.</P>
<P>Also, if respirators and masks are discarded daily, as they are in man=
y=20
hospitals, the national demand during a three-month pandemic could be 10 =
to 20=20
billion, and the cost of respirators for a family of four several hundred=
=20
dollars. Such waste isn't necessary. The virus does not survive longer th=
an a=20
few hours on the material used for masks and respirators, so they should =
be=20
re-used until they disintegrate.</P>
<P>The government and the public health community must switch mindsets, f=
rom=20
the current perspective of protecting workers paid to do a dangerous job=
=20
everyday, to that of providing ciitizens with the tools best to protect=
=20
themselves during a pandemic.</P>
<P>It may take 18 months to build a stockpile of respirators and masks, s=
o=20
there is no time to lose. The American people's faith in their government=
will=20
be seriously undermined if, along with larger measures like school closin=
gs,=20
it cannot provide effective face protection for its citizens during a dea=
dly=20
pandemic. Masks and respirators may be our main lines of defense during a=
=20
pandemic.</P>
<P>Lawrence M.Wein is a professor at Stanford's graduate school of=20
business.</P>
<P>Correction: October 28, 2006</P>
<P>An Op-Ed article on Wednesday, about preventatives during an influenza=
=20
pandemic, incorrectly stated that the government had not stockpiled masks=
and=20
respirators. The Centers for Disease Control has a stockpile of 74.3 mill=
ion=20
respirators and 45.5 million masks."</P>
<P>Note: In a private communication from Prof.Wein, he stated that a mask=
or=20
respirator should be worn "[a]ny place where you are in a room with anoth=
er=20
person (unless you've all been isolated for 5 days from the outside=20
world)."</P>
<P>The end</P><BR>
<DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#ff0033><STRONG>Reg Curtis/VE9RWC</STRONG></FONT></DIV=
></DIV>
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From: <I>"James M. Atkinson" <j..._at_tscm.com></I><BR>Reply-To:=20
<I>TSCM-..._at_googlegroups.com</I><BR>To: <I>TSCM-L=20
<TSC..._at_googlegroups.com></I><BR>Subject: <I>[TSCM-L]=20
Norovirus</I><BR>Date: <I>Fri, 09 Mar 2007 13:38:32=20
-0500</I><BR>><BR>><BR>>Please read the following:<BR>><BR>=
>A=20
lot of companies in the North-East are having<BR>>this hit them rath=
er=20
hard, a lot of security<BR>>departments have half their department o=
ut=20
sick<BR>>with this, and several sweep folks have gotten<BR>>sidel=
ined=20
for over a week when this hit them. It<BR>>is not the kind of thing =
that=20
you want to have hit you when your traveling.<BR>><BR>>If you get=
this=20
your best bet is to stay home<BR>>until it totally clears up, see yo=
ur=20
doctor as<BR>>quickly as possible, hydrate-hydrate-hydrate, and wash=
your=20
hands=20
often.<BR>><BR>>-jma<BR>><BR>><BR>><BR>><BR>><BR>&=
gt;
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/norovirus-qa.htm<BR>><BR>&=
gt;What=20
are noroviruses?<BR>><BR>>Noroviruses are a group of viruses that=
=20
cause the<BR>>=93stomach flu,=94 or=20
gastroenteritis<BR>>(GAS-tro-en-ter-I-tis), in people. The=20
term<BR>>norovirus was recently approved as the official<BR>>name=
for=20
this group of viruses. Several other<BR>>names have been used for=20
noroviruses, including:<BR>><BR>>Norwalk-like viruses=20
(NLVs)<BR>>caliciviruses (because they belong to the virus family=20
Caliciviridae)<BR>>small round structured viruses.<BR>>Viruses ar=
e=20
very different from bacteria and<BR>>parasites, some of which can ca=
use=20
illnesses<BR>>similar to norovirus infection. Like all=20
viral<BR>>infections, noroviruses are not affected by<BR>>treatme=
nt=20
with antibiotics, and cannot grow outside of a person=92s=20
body.<BR>><BR>>What are the symptoms of illness caused by=20
noroviruses?<BR>><BR>>The symptoms of norovirus illness usually=
=20
include<BR>>nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach<BR>>cram=
ping.=20
Sometimes people additionally have a<BR>>low-grade fever, chills,=20
headache, muscle aches,<BR>>and a general sense of tiredness. The=20
illness<BR>>often begins suddenly, and the infected person<BR>>ma=
y=20
feel very sick. In most people the illness is<BR>>self-limiting with=
=20
symptoms lasting for about 1<BR>>or 2 days. In general, children=20
experience more<BR>>vomiting than adults. Most people with=20
norovirus<BR>>illness have both of these=20
symptoms.<BR>><BR>><BR>><BR>>What is the name of the illnes=
s=20
caused by noroviruses?<BR>><BR>>Illness caused by norovirus infec=
tion=20
has several names, including:<BR>><BR>>stomach flu =96 this =93st=
omach=20
flu=94 is not related<BR>>to the flu (or influenza), which is a=20
respiratory<BR>>illness caused by influenza virus.<BR>>viral=20
gastroenteritis =96 the most common name for<BR>>illness caused by=
=20
norovirus. Gastroenteritis<BR>>refers to an inflammation of the stom=
ach=20
and intestines.<BR>>acute gastroenteritis<BR>>non-bacterial=20
gastroenteritis<BR>>food poisoning (although there are other causes =
of=20
food poisoning)<BR>>calicivirus infection<BR>>How serious is noro=
virus=20
disease?<BR>><BR>>People may feel very sick and vomit many times=
=20
a<BR>>day, but most people get better within 1 or 2<BR>>days, and=
they=20
have no long-term health effects<BR>>related to their illness. Howev=
er,=20
sometimes<BR>>people are unable to drink enough liquids to<BR>>re=
place=20
the liquids they lost because of vomiting<BR>>and diarrhea. These pe=
rsons=20
can become dehydrated<BR>>and may need special medical attention.=20
This<BR>>problem with dehydration is usually only seen<BR>>among =
the=20
very young, the elderly, and persons with weakened immune=20
systems.<BR>><BR>>How do people become infected with=20
noroviruses?<BR>><BR>>Noroviruses are found in the stool or vomit=
=20
of<BR>>infected people. People can become infected with<BR>>the v=
irus=20
in several ways, including:<BR>><BR>>eating food or drinking liqu=
ids=20
that are contaminated with norovirus;<BR>>touching surfaces or objec=
ts=20
contaminated with<BR>>norovirus, and then placing their hand in thei=
r=20
mouth;<BR>>having direct contact with another person who=20
is<BR>>infected and showing symptoms (for example, when<BR>>carin=
g for=20
someone with illness, or sharing foods<BR>>or eating utensils with=
=20
someone who is ill).<BR>>Persons working in day-care centers or=20
nursing<BR>>homes should pay special attention to children=20
or<BR>>residents who have norovirus illness. This virus<BR>>is ve=
ry=20
contagious and can spread rapidly throughout such=20
environments.<BR>><BR>><BR>><BR>>When do symptoms=20
appear?<BR>><BR>>Symptoms of norovirus illness usually begin=20
about<BR>>24 to 48 hours after ingestion of the virus, but<BR>>th=
ey=20
can appear as early as 12 hours after exposure.<BR>><BR>>Are=20
noroviruses contagious?<BR>><BR>>Noroviruses are very contagious =
and=20
can spread<BR>>easily from person to person. Both stool and<BR>>v=
omit=20
are infectious. Particular care should be<BR>>taken with young child=
ren=20
in diapers who may have<BR>>diarrhea.How long are people=20
contagious?<BR>><BR>>People infected with norovirus are=20
contagious<BR>>from the moment they begin feeling ill to at<BR>>l=
east=20
3 days after recovery. Some people may be<BR>>contagious for as long=
as 2=20
weeks after recovery.<BR>>Therefore, it is particularly important=20
for<BR>>people to use good handwashing and other=20
hygienic<BR>>practices after they have recently recovered from norov=
irus=20
illness.<BR>><BR>>Who gets norovirus infection?<BR>><BR>>An=
yone=20
can become infected with these viruses.<BR>>There are many different=
=20
strains of norovirus,<BR>>which makes it difficult for a person=92s =
body=20
to<BR>>develop long-lasting immunity. Therefore,<BR>>norovirus il=
lness=20
can recur throughout a person=92s<BR>>lifetime. In addition, because=
of=20
differences in<BR>>genetic factors, some people are more likely=20
to<BR>>become infected and develop more severe illness than=20
others.<BR>><BR>>What treatment is available for people with noro=
virus=20
infection?<BR>><BR>>Currently, there is no antiviral medication=
=20
that<BR>>works against norovirus and there is no vaccine<BR>>to=
=20
prevent infection. Norovirus infection cannot<BR>>be treated with=20
antibiotics. This is because<BR>>antibiotics work to fight bacteria =
and=20
not viruses.<BR>><BR>>Norovirus illness is usually brief in=20
healthy<BR>>individuals. When people are ill with vomiting<BR>>an=
d=20
diarrhea, they should drink plenty of fluids<BR>>to prevent dehydrat=
ion.=20
Dehydration among young<BR>>children, the elderly, the sick, can be=
=20
common,<BR>>and it is the most serious health effect that=20
can<BR>>result from norovirus infection. By drinking=20
oral<BR>>rehydration fluids (ORF), juice, or water, people<BR>>ca=
n=20
reduce their chance of becoming dehydrated.<BR>>Sports drinks do not=
=20
replace the nutrients and<BR>>minerals lost during this=20
illness.<BR>><BR>>Can norovirus infections be=20
prevented?<BR>><BR>>You can decrease your chance of coming in=20
contact<BR>>with noroviruses by following these preventive=20
steps:<BR>><BR>>Frequently wash your hands, especially=20
after<BR>>toilet visits and changing diapers and before eating or=20
preparing food.<BR>>Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and steam=
=20
oysters before eating them.<BR>>Thoroughly clean and disinfect=20
contaminated<BR>>surfaces immediately after an episode of=20
illness<BR>>by using a bleach-based household cleaner.<BR>>Immedi=
ately=20
remove and wash clothing or linens<BR>>that may be contaminated with=
=20
virus after an<BR>>episode of illness (use hot water and=20
soap).<BR>>Flush or discard any vomitus and/or stool in the<BR>>t=
oilet=20
and make sure that the surrounding area is kept clean.<BR>>Persons w=
ho=20
are infected with norovirus should<BR>>not prepare food while they h=
ave=20
symptoms and for<BR>>3 days after they recover from their illness=20
(see<BR>>food handler information sheet). Food that may<BR>>have =
been=20
contaminated by an ill person should be disposed of=20
properly.<BR>><BR>><BR>><BR>>------------------------------=
----------------------------------------------------------------------<BR>&=
gt;=20
World Class, Professional, Ethical, and Competent Bug Sweeps,=20
and<BR>>Wiretap Detection using Sophisticated Laboratory Grade Test=
=20
Equipment.<BR>>-----------------------------------------------------=
-----------------------------------------------<BR>>=20
James M. Atkinson Phone: (978) 546-3803<BR>> Granite Island Group Fa=
x:=20
(978) 546-9467<BR>> 127 Eastern Avenue #291 Web:=20
http://www.tscm.com/<BR>> Gloucester, MA 01931-8008 E-mail:=20
mailto:jm..._at_tscm.com<BR>>------------------------------------------=
----------------------------------------------------------<BR>>=20
We perform bug sweeps like it's a full contact sport, we take no=20
prisoners,<BR>>and we give no quarter. Our goal is to simply, and=20
completely stop the=20
spy.<BR>>-----------------------------------------------------------=
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R>><BR>
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Received on Sat Mar 02 2024 - 00:57:27 CST