My daughter has just got over the 'winter vomiting bug'. Can we still ca!


Question: And if so how come? Also is the virus living or is it dirt? I hope there are some clever people who knows the answer. Thanks!


Answers: And if so how come? Also is the virus living or is it dirt? I hope there are some clever people who knows the answer. Thanks!

That's a generic name given to the latest flu or stomach bug going round, but usually you're clear once the symptoms have cleared. Just make sure you disinfect all things like door handles for a couple of days to ensure she's not still carrying a few viruses (viri?). Also change things like bedding as they can sometimes live for a while in stuff like that.

Only thing is, you could still go down with it since these things usually take several days to hit you. Get lots of sleep, drink plenty of fruit juice and take vitamin C tablets (only one a day) and you stand the best chance of fighting it off.

If it's bacterially caused then you've probably got less chance of catching it, but most are viruses and thus slightly harder to get rid of.

Before anyone complains, I know viruses don't "live" per-se, but it's simpler that way... :)

The vomiting bug can live on surfaces up to 48 hours, sometimes a little more than this. That is why family members often state one person just got over the stomach bug and now another one has it.

The vomiting bug: which is officially called Norovirus.

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that are the most common cause of gastroenteritis (stomach bugs).

***Noroviruses are found in the stool or vomit of infected people.***

How is it spread?

It can be transmitted easily by:

* Contact with an infected person.
* Consuming contaminated food or water.
* Contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.

What are the symptoms?

* The symptoms of norovirus infection will begin around 12 to 48 hours after becoming infected.
* The illness is self-limiting and the symptoms will last for 12 to 60 hours.
* They will start with the sudden onset of nausea followed by projectile vomiting and watery diarrhoea.
* Some people may have a raised temperature, headaches and aching limbs.
* Most people make a full recovery within 1-2 days, however some people (usually the very young or elderly) may become very dehydrated and require hospital treatment.

Why causes these outbreaks?

* Norovirus often causes outbreaks because it is easily spread from one person to another and the virus is able to survive in the environment for many days.
* Because there are many different strains of norovirus and immunity is short-lived, outbreaks tend to affect more than 50% of susceptible people.
* Outbreaks usually tend to affect people who are in semi-closed environments such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools.

It is in essence an extremely infectious stomach bug belonging to a group of viruses called Norovirus. This produces a gastro-enteritis illness.

It is dubbed the



The consumer health information on answer-health.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.
Copyright © 2007-2011 answer-health.com -   Terms of Use -   Contact us

Health Categories