Going Above And Beyond to Sterilize

[Country Kids]

Last month we had an entire elementary school nearby close down to norovirus. Now an entire school district and they are thinking its norovirus and trying to see if there is some type of connection. School and school district/two different towns/20 min apart/2 weeks between illnesses. One of my dd said they were wondering about the middle school because alot of kids were missing yesterday so we will get to see on Monday what happens there.

The schools are now using a bleach disinfective type cleaner and have had to clean from top to bottom of the schools. Stepping up on the handwashing and not letting the kids use the hand sanitizer as much. We used to have to send this in by the gallon!

So anyway, I do not want this coming in my house so we are washing, washing, washing hands, disinfecting toys to the hilt and anything anyone touches. I'm going to be trying to go through and wipe everything down about3 times a day. All toys will be washed down nightly (soaked in buckets to clean) and stuffed play toys washed and dried. I know thats alot but this stuff is pretty scary and the health dept. is really perplexed out how this is going rapid where we are.

[SilverSabre25]

can't norovirus spread through water...like, isn't that one that can be in tap water?

[Scout]

If this is what I had I feel for the kids! I was never so sick with vomiting & diarrhea! Only good thing is the main symptoms only lasted about 24 hours. I was tired for days after though...glad my ds's escaped it, whatever it was. Dcb not so lucky. Went thru his whole house.

[spud912]

can't norovirus spread through water...like, isn't that one that can be in tap water?

It's not normally spread through tap water because there is a chlorine residual in municipal water sources. Chlorine is one of the few disinfectants that is effective with killing norovirus.

The first main priority is to exclude children who have symptoms of noro from child care BEFORE they come. Once your child care environment is exposed, it is important to disinfect all contact surfaces with a chlorine solution. Lastly, washing hands frequently and properly really helps!

The really unfortunate part is the fact that when someone vomits, some of the vomit droplets become aerosolized and really can land anywhere in the vicinity, so it can spread easily and quickly. The virus can also stay dormant on inanimate objects for up to two weeks at a time (or longer).

I've spent a LOT of time researching and investigating norovirus outbreaks (my prior profession was a health inspector as an illness coordinator), so I know how much of a pain it is. Like aprilfools77 said, the good news is that it typically does not last long and it usually does not cause any long-term effects on the individual inflicted.

[SilverSabre25]

It's not normally spread through tap water because there is a chlorine residual in municipal water sources. Chlorine is one of the few disinfectants that is effective with killing norovirus.

oh, okay. I wonder which one I was thinking of, that's easily spread through the water system...

[spud912]

oh, okay. I wonder which one I was thinking of, that's easily spread through the water system...

Well I know Crypto has been getting a lot more attention lately and is sometimes found in municipal water that was not properly treated, although people usually get it from swimming in rivers/lakes or improperly treated swimming pools.

[Country Kids]

Yes, they are telling people when there is sickness in the house to please try and use only one bathroom if possible. Then to disinfect the entire bathroom after the person leaves.

Also, to remove all toothbrushes to another area because everytime someone flushes, the is some water that sprays up each time and hits things close by-yummy!

The one thing I do know about noro is usually there are no sympotms until it hits. It went through some of our kids one time and it just literally hit-one minute they were fine the next minute throwing up and diaherria. There were people doing eye screenings at one of the kids that actually were hit with it within a couple hour after the majority of the kids.

[spud912]

The one thing I do know about noro is usually there are no sympotms until it hits. It went through some of our kids one time and it just literally hit-one minute they were fine the next minute throwing up and diaherria. There were people doing eye screenings at one of the kids that actually were hit with it within a couple hour after the majority of the kids.

Luckfully, people are typically not contagious until they exhibit the symptoms. Once they have the symptoms, they can still be shedding the virus in their feces for up to two weeks after the last symptom has dissipated, so it's very important that they continue to wash their hands properly after using the restroom. The incubation (the time between when the person was exposed to when the symptoms first show) for norovirus is 24-48 hours so many times you do not know until a couple days later that you were even exposed .

[Country Kids]

Luckfully, people are typically not contagious until they exhibit the symptoms. Once they have the symptoms, they can still be shedding the virus in their feces for up to two weeks after the last symptom has dissipated, so it's very important that they continue to wash their hands properly after using the restroom. The incubation (the time between when the person was exposed to when the symptoms first show) for norovirus is 24-48 hours so many times you do not know until a couple days later that you were even exposed .

Yes, they are letting everyone know that its still a live virus in the feces for two weeks. The schools are very adiment on the hand washing now!

Its a very nast virus!!

[countrymom]

did they ever think that its going thru the ventalation system. People don't realize this but some of the schools have such poor vent systems that this is a reason why kids get sick. Also make sure that you clean your vents, change your filters. Also, proper diet plays a big role too.

[Kelly]

Still a few years away but still something to look forward to: http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2012...g-promise?lite

[SilverSabre25]

did they ever think that its going thru the ventalation system. People don't realize this but some of the schools have such poor vent systems that this is a reason why kids get sick. Also make sure that you clean your vents, change your filters. Also, proper diet plays a big role too.

Aha! Thanks for reminding me...the furnace filter needs changing.

[spud912]

Still a few years away but still something to look forward to: http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2012...g-promise?lite

Wow thanks for the article! Very interesting read indeed!

[Scout]

Yes, they are telling people when there is sickness in the house to please try and use only one bathroom if possible. Then to disinfect the entire bathroom after the person leaves.

Also, to remove all toothbrushes to another area because everytime someone flushes, the is some water that sprays up each time and hits things close by-yummy!

The one thing I do know about noro is usually there are no sympotms until it hits. It went through some of our kids one time and it just literally hit-one minute they were fine the next minute throwing up and diaherria. There were people doing eye screenings at one of the kids that actually were hit with it within a couple hour after the majority of the kids.

This is what I did too! I had everyone else use the 1/2 bath for that day. I cleaned our bathroom that night once feeling better. Seemed to work since my own kids were fine! I had just cleaned it the day before too! Nothing like wasted cleaning!

[renodeb]

I recently got a call from our school district and they said that if your student shows any signs to keep them home an additional 3 days after they start feeling better. They also said over 500 students were sent home with it. I have been working hard at cleaning toys and surfaces to. Every bit helps. I think washing hands is huge in prevention to!
Deb