For those interested, here are some friendly factoids concerning this rampant gastroenteritis that is going around right now among dozens and dozens of families I personally know of:
* Norovirus is killed only by bleach or 165 degrees of heat (and the laboratory model of the virus is killed by Lysol). Purell and alcohol-based rinses do nada here. Washing hands does not kill the virus, but if you suds for 30 seconds and rinse for 20 seconds, you might at least rinse away the virus.
* Only ten Noroviruses are required to cause human infection, but there are millions of viruses per gram of human bodily fluids.
* Norovirus mutates so fast that by the time it passes through all the members in a family, it can be different enough to reinfect the first family members again.
* Norovirus lives on surfaces for 21 days--enjoy using that grocery cart handle!
* A person continues shedding Norovirus for a couple of weeks after having been sick and recovered.
Right now, disposable latex gloves and bleach are our friends.
I am SO sorry that you are all so sick. I pray that you all will get better soon. And that you all stay healthy for a long time afterwards!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear John is sick again and that you had to miss your trip to Boston! It's a wonderful city...Chris and I got engaged there, so I have a soft spot for it. :-) Hope you'll get to go another time!
ReplyDeleteHow awful (that you have to miss the trip) - and how intimidating (thanks for the factoids, I think)! You are being very dutiful, very brave. May God reward your sacrifices with some really awesome graces and blessings, Katherine!!
ReplyDeleteKatherine, I am so sorry you are sick, and sick kids are not only pitiful, but a lot of work! Will has a fever right now, but seems to be turning the corner.
ReplyDeleteIsn't Norovirus what Mark got from that server at the wedding? If it is, it is a nasty virus! I hope you all feel better soon!
Rachel: Yes, Norovirus is what wiped out more than half our wedding reception guests lo those four years ago. But, just to clarify, the CDC and County Public Health investigated and fully cleared our caterers. What they suspected is that somebody likely brought a child who was sick within the prior few weeks and who was still shedding virus. And then once people began shaking hands and eating finger foods . . .
ReplyDeleteAnd thank you for your really dear birthday wishes the other day!
Sorry you guys aren't well enough to go to Boston, but thanks for the PSA. I had no idea.
ReplyDeleteKatherine,
ReplyDeleteI am sooo sorry! Good grief you have had to endure a lot here. I am sure you are going to heap lots of God's blessings here soon.
Offering up my pain and anxiety this weekend for your woes.
I am getting worried just reading this post! I think I will wipe this keyboard and mouse with bleach!
ReplyDeleteKatherine, I guess I never heard the final update on what they found. It really doesn't matter who brought it, most people would not think, "Gee, I was sick almost two weeks ago, I better not go out in public for another several days."! I am sure you have had to leave the house since this virus began going through your family. That is what makes it so difficult to keep from spreading it around!
ReplyDeleteJust so you know, though, your wedding was beautiful and the food was delicious! Oh, and how do you know what virus you all have? Did the doctor test? Just wondering, they never tested Mark when he went to the doctor.
Rachel: You're right about how it is so hard to stop this from spreading because it sheds so long. I have had to leave the house already, especially because Chris is out of town for ten days. I just wash the kids' hands really good before we leave the house and when we come home, I wear Mary, and I'm not putting John in the grocery cart right now.
ReplyDeleteRe: my wedding, the CDC and two County Public Health Departments did the investigation and they really wanted an accurate diagnosis so one of my valiant and generous guests took in a biological sample to the laboratory and Norovirus was diagnosed. Re: this current illness, I am self-diagnosing with almost certainty. The vast majority of gastroenteritis is caused by Norovirus and Rotavirus and the two present with different symptom profiles.
So sorry to hear you are all so sick! Rebecca had said you were coming to visit, so I was disappointed not to have met you this weekend! Hopefully you can come another time! Get well!
ReplyDeleteChristina: I'd been looking forward to meeting you too, as Rebecca had told me about you! I hope to make it there on one of my husband's future business trips.
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