Has your children's school been hit with the "Norovirus" yet?

[Blondie]

A letter was sent home with my middle-schoolers on Friday:

Dear Parents,

We are writing at the request of the local Health Department to share news of a growing health concern in our region of the state. Norovirus, otherwise known as "winter vomiting disease" has been emerging across Virginia. Norovirus is a common gastrointestinal virus that causes the "stomach flu."

(the letter then goes on to describe the symptoms, how it is transmitted and how you can help prevent the spread of Norovirus)

I hope I'm not jinxing my family, but so far, so good!

 

[KristiKelly]

Stomach flu - I wonder if the flu shot helps to prevent this? Both of my kids had it. Thanks for the info, We're just right next door in NC.

 

[Blondie]

People like to use the term "stomach flu" when in fact, it isn't even related to "influenza" at all.

I've heard people describe the common cold as "the flu" as well.

Check FluStar for more information on "the flu."

 

[llebrekniT]

My 14 month old and my 11 year old both have a stomach bug right now. The baby has been sick since Fri., but is starting to feel better, I think. DS just started during the night with this.

We had the real flu in Dec. while we were at WDW. It was lovely. We didn't know at the time that it was the real flu. Had it diagnosed when we came home. But, 3 out of the 5 of us had stomach troubles (threw up, and the other thing) with the flu. It can happen.

 

[Blondie]

Yikes! I just read that the Norovirus is the same thing that took down the Disney Cruise Line as the Norwalk Virus!

 

[Kermit]

I don't know about our schools, since we don't have anybody in one, but we got a nasty stomach bug last week. I got it first, and I ended up giving it to about 10 people at last count. It was horrible. But it didn't really last too long. I only ended up throwing up for about 6 hours. I wish that I hadn't been the first one to get it so I could have known. I thought I was going to need IV fluids for a while.

 

[pumba]

this is just a bug that bugs the heck out of you....and makes you feel sooooooooooooooooo horrible for a day or two
Little boy I baby sit for had it last wednesday and then his father got it and then his cousin got it and then the mom has it......I have not been near any of them for a bit.....so hopefully I am out of the way of it.....but you can catch this one by air .....and being in the malls even.....good luck to you all

 

[mom2boys]

Our school is being extra diligent in an effort to prevent Noro virus. My son's teacher stands at the hand sanitzer and watches each child sanitize his/her hands prior to allowing them to go to lunch - of course as soon as they touch the first door knob...and with it being airborne...
At least they are tyring.

They were actually asking people not to visit nursing homes in the DC area in an effort to contain the virus.

 

[Kimberle]

I had that last year. It hits hard & fast. But in 24 hours, you are back to normal.

 

[renee31128]

All I know is that we are leaving for WDW in 4 days and my 5 yo old woke up throwing up this morning. I am praying he'll be better by Friday!!

 

[Blondie]

The letter also said:

Symptoms usually include; nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Some people have a low-grade fever, chills, headache and feel tired. Most people recover in 2-3 days without long term health effects, but Norovirus can cause serious complications such as dehydration.

The virus is very contagious. Once exposed to Norovirus, the symptoms usually begin within 24-48 hours and last for 1-2 days. Persons infected with Norovirus can spread the virus from the moment they begin to feel ill to the last 3 days after the symptoms subside.

 

[antnee]

about 2 months ago before the christmas break many of our students got very ill. I went by the nurses office and there were kids every where vomitting in trash cans, bags, etc. It was horrible. She had 3 offices full of kids, bot sure what it was but even my girlfriend and her 2 kids got sick

 

[Princess Aurora45]

We had something like that that went round are school, I was off school for around a week, I am blessed witha good immune system so I get better quickly. It is a really horried thing to have.

 

[robinb]

There's a one-day bug going around here. My DD had it last week and vomited for the first time in about 2 years . So far, I've only heard of children coming down with it.

BTW, llebrekniT. I love your picture! How cute .

 

[kilee]

That was going around a lot last year. Both DH & DS got it. When DH came down w/ it first. I went on a lysol and bleach cleaning binge. I think I inhaled so much of it I killed any virus in my body . I hadn't heard it was going back around again-- ugh!!

 

[DISshopkeeper]

Originally posted by Blondie
People like to use the term "stomach flu" when in fact, it isn't even related to "influenza" at all.

I've heard people describe the common cold as "the flu" as well.

Check FluStar for more information on "the flu."

Interesting site, Blondie. Thanks! I took the flu quiz and got them all right!

 

[Kimickey]

DD was sent home today with a 101.5 fever and a stomach ache, so I believe she has this virus. A couple of people in my office that are sick as well. So I think this virus is running rampid in the VA, MD, DC area.

 

[kilee]

Ironically I was supposed to go to DC next week for our trip-- instead we moved it to WDW. Looks like a good move.

 

[Lorix2]

My kids just went back to school yesterday. Both kids have been vomiting since 1 AM. I don't think it was from the school though because we were on vacation break.

We were exposed to my sister though this weekend who had a stomach bug on friday, vomiting too.

My DD had it 2 weeks ago - is it possible to get it again? geesh....

I'm on a bleaching/cleaning/lysoling binge here myself.

Why is that when you give a young child a bowl for their bedside, they seem to forget it's there and try to make it to the bathroom unsuccessfully? I've cleaned up the kitchen and bathroom floor 3 times now.

Hope everyone's kids feel better real soon!

 

[CRB#33]

.