Hi OFC
Just to clarify a little regarding the Norwalk virus: It is not a strain of influenza. A true influenza is a respiratory sickness. We are just so used to referring to vomiting and diarrhea as "the flu", that we make the automatic association. The Norwalk virus causes a type of gastroenteritis (the proper terminology for "vomiting and diarrhea") not influenza.
The hospital where I work is also affected by this virus. Infection control measures are strict handwashing protocol to prevent the spread of the virus by cross contamination. There are signs all over the place restricting eating at the desk (which is sometimes a necessity when you're working with a heavy patient assignment and don't always get the time to take a proper break).
The ward just above ours has had an outbreak of this virus, so they implemented visiting restrictions. The same with Labour and Delivery: four nurses went home sick the night before last because of the virus, and they had to divert patients elsewhere. Patients were not allowed to have visitors in L&D, and they were sending them out to us as soon as they were medically stable, rather than keeping them the routine two hours. The hospital arranged for the L&D area to be "crashed" - the strict kind of cleaning that gets EVERYTHING, usually reserved for patients with things like latex allergy. We have a couple of patients on our unit with Norwalk virus, and we are using "contact" and "airborne" isolation precautions in our care for them.
There is a 48 hour incubation period for this virus, and any hospital employee who contracts the illness has to be off work until they've been symptom-free for 48 hours, so that the illness is not spread to anyone else. The symptoms strike very suddenly. I think I may have had this virus back in early November - I was just starting my shift like I normally do, then suddenly felt faint, turned extremely pale and started vomiting within the space of three minutes. I was sent home and stayed sick for six days.
The best thing you can do to prevent getting this virus yourself is to be aware of anyone around you who has symptoms of a gastroenteritis. Enforce strict handwashing with them and yourself. They should be washing their hands after using the toilet. They should try to stay in one place as much as humanly possible (BED) and the housekeeping routine - especially in the kitchen and bathroom - should include some kind of antiseptic on all countertops and food preparation surfaces. If they are vomiting, be aware that the virus can become airborne - when someone barfs, it can produce a microscopic mist full of infectious viruses - so stand back!! Do not prepare food without washing hands. Do not eat at a desk or dining room table (etc) without wiping down the surface with an antibacterial agent before AND after. This is because the virus lives on surfaces for 48 hours, and if you sit down to eat at the same table as your sick friend you can take in the virus with your food and become sick yourself.
If you do get sick, get yourself to bed. Don't get up except to use the bathroom. Drink lots of fluids, soup is great. Take Tylenol for the aches and pains and fever. If you live alone, make sure you keep your bathroom and kitchen clean with antibacterial disinfectants to prevent re-infection. Get lots of rest.
Thanks for mentioning this OFC. You helped me do my good deed for the day.
Love, Scully
Edited by - Scully on 7 December 2002 12:40:43
