***What are your tips on how to avoid the Norwalk virus?***

[3redheads]

I found this fact sheet online:

 

http://www.astdhpphe.org/infect/norwalk.html

 

It seems that even though you may wash your hands, if the food handler doesn't, you could get the virus.

 

Any other suggestions since so many of us are worried our vacation will be impacted by this virus?

 

Kim

[macbasset]

We were on the disney magic a year or so ago when the big outbreak of Norwalk virus occurred. This was when disney cancelled cruises and scrubbed down the ship and replaced mattresses, etc. We were on right after that and a lot of people on our ship were sick, many being quarantined in their cabins for the duration. I brought a big bottle of pump dial soap (antibacterial) and made everyone wash before every meal and then not touch anything on the way to the restaurant; I used a paper towel to open the doors and nobody touched a handrail or anything. The servers actually served you food at the buffets; no guest touched a utensil. If a child ran and touched a roll or something with their hands, the whole platter was dumped. I put the remote control in our cabin into a sealed zip lock bag so we could use it without getting germs on our hands. I sprayed everything with Lysol in the cabin. (phone, doorknobs, surfaces) Everytime we returned to the cabin from public places, I made everyone wash their hands. It may seem extreme, but none of us got ill and many, many people around us (cabins on both sides) were sick and confined to their cabins. I just kept making everyone wash and reminded them not to touch their face or mouth with their hands if at all possible. All I know is we didn’t get sick. We didn’t do all of this the last cruise and what we thought was seasickness, I now believe was a virus we caught by eating “finger foods” at a reception where we weren’t as careful.

[momesu]

I think one thing to is to not burn the candle at both ends:Good hygene, Adequate rest and sleep. Also unfortyunately for some they just are more prone to pick up what ever virus is going around, no matter what they do.:cool: Genetics I guess and strength of your immune system. Personally since I hate housework, my family lives with lots of germs and dirt so we have really strong immune systems :D .

Seriously the last cruise I was on was right after a serious ourbreak of Norwalk. RCI did everything in their power to keep things sanitized and provide a safe environment. A few people on our trip did get sick. Viruses are just pesky little things that can't be completely controlled. :( I guess they are a risk of cruising. Just like sea sickness is.

Momesu

[familycruzer]

Bump up the vitamins before you leave.

Bring along Lyson, Purell, and Clorox Wipes.

Wash your hands

Get plenty of rest

Dont use the utensils they have out at the buffet. Use your own clean ones off the tray that you pick up.

Dont touch the railings or elevator buttons.

Use your own bathroom. Not the public ones.

[hdawson]

Remember, Norwalk-like viruses are viral. Not bacterial. So the wipes and anti-bacterial products and anti-biotics are not very effective. Vigorous hand washing and often is the best precaution you can take. I think managment on the ship is pretty darn strict with the crew because they fully understand the risk and the consequences. I suspect the crew is more diligent than the guests.

[JDMOR]

Other than to stop breathing and eating, about all one can do is wash hands frequently and cross all fingers and toes!

[3redheads]

LOL! I guess I could walk around with disposable gloves on :D

 

We already avoid doorknobs. My DD, 12, is funny, she flushes the public toilet with her foot, uses paper towels to open doors. She's a bit like me, OCD!

 

Thanks for the tips.

Kim

[grvdggr71]

Antibiotics are useless against viruses. Maintain a healthy diet with plenty of vitamins, especially in winter. Wash your hands. Any type of soap is fine, as long as it is real soap (plain old soap is just as good as anti-bacterial - "anti-bacterial" soap is just a marketing scheme!).

 

Realistically, there is not too much you can do to prevent a Norwalk infection. Just have to hope you have a good immune system. And remember to report any serious symptoms to the onboard medical center.

 

Also - your odds of contracting Norwalk are very low.

[gizfish]

While it is true that antibacterial soap is no better than "regular" soap, waterless hand sanitizers (Purell, Avon,etc.,) DO kill Norwalk (and other viruses.) The active ingredient in them is alcohol, and alcohol kills everything. Using friction while you rub the sanitizer into your hands helps things along too. Use the hand sanitizer before you eat, and if you are especially diligent, use it after touching the menus, salt and pepper shakers or anything else communal. Use it before getting on the buffet line, and use it again when you sit down to eat. (Just because you washed before you touched all those utensils doesn't mean the person in front of you did.) Also, when washing your hands with soap and water, there is a proper way to do it. Wet your hands, add soap and lather while rubbing very well. Most people do not rub with soap long enough. A good idea is to hum all of "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" in your head while you are lathering. (Also makes it easy to teach the kids how long to lather for.) Rinse and use a paper towel to turn the water faucet off and to push open the door. And, never touch any part of your face if you have not washed your hands recently.

[moxie99]

I am the type of person who always gets sick when in a plane. The recycled air is something my system just can't handle. Two years ago I started using the over-the-counter antibacterial nose sprays - they worked. This year there is a new product on the market which claims to shorten and/or prevent the common cold and illness - Airbourne. It works - I have been using this all winter when I am with groups of people, on cruises or on planes. It works! It's all organic and there is nothing that can harm you - read the inset that comes with it and follow directions. Of course, can't stress enough the need to wash your hands when in groups.

[Hucc]

I'm still amazed at how many people I see in the restrooms on the ships who do NOT wash their hands. Maybe a tip would be for us to yell at the non-hand washers. LOL

[BonnieNYTX]

I'm still amazed at how many people I see in the restrooms on the ships who do NOT wash their hands. Maybe a tip would be for us to yell at the non-hand washers. LOL

 

Ewwwwwwww gross!! Reminds me of the Seinfeld episode where Jerry witnesses the chef of a restaurant exiting the bathroom w/o washing his hands telling Jerry, he is going to prepare a wonderful dinner.

[hdawson]

Actually, the CDC suggests bleach solutions to disinfect for noroviruses. Not alchohol. I don't think any of us need to over react to this rather minor threat. Noro by whatever name we use is so very common and can/will be eventually be picked up. Usually we pick it up, it runs it's course and we get better without even thinking anything more than "stomach bug" or "stomach flu" and we're better in 2 or 3 days. No amount of cleaning will rid a ship, nursing home, school or other public area completely. It passes from one person to another.

[FlyingPhotog]

A little alarm system would solve that problem! :cool:

 

[stuNYC]

I presume that when the ship's crew are asymptomlc they return to their duties and those that handle uncooked food are the ones that are more than likely spreading the virus

 

Logic would indicate that the passengers leave the ship every 5 - 9 days; the crew stays on the ship continously in very close sleeping quarters; therefore they are the most likely carriers. I can't believe that RCCL doesn't rush these people back to work as quickly as possible. They work them like dogs; why would their attitude toward their being sick be different.

 

Just one man's opinion who happens to hold a graduate degree in microbiology

[PhoenixCruiser]

Advise your hubby and especially your children NOT to blow (or touch for that matter) the whistle on your life jacket during the muster!!! I'm amazed at how many people actually do that, gross :eek: :eek:

 

Don't stress over something you really have no control over :D

 

###

[GMoney]

We are traveling on Voyager on Friday and will be bringing Virkon from dustless.com. Its a powder that you mix into a liquid which kills viruses including Norwalk. It's a big ship and I'm not sure what one person can do to avoid Norwalk, but it's worth a shot!

[hdawson]

StuNYC. My opinion is exactly opposite of yours. The very last and most expensive result of the management would be not being very strict about the crew's hygene and fitness to return to duty. It is in the cruiseline's best interest to keep the crew well and desease free before returning to duty. It's a business and it makes the best business sense. Sorry I havent' said it very well. Guess I need more coffee. Hope you understand my logic.

[mbisson]

***What are your tips on how to avoid the Norwalk virus?***

3redheads

 

Tips to avoid norwalk-Wear a Chem/biological/radiological protective suit at all times breathing only filtered air and do not eat or drink anything.

 

Not pratical? Then wash hands often, don't touch handrails in stairways, wash hands often, use wipes before using the slot machines in the casino, wash hands often. Then after you get ill stay in your cabin so you don't help the disease spread.

 

-Monte

[pcur]

I found this very cool Purell hand sanitizer holder that I hook to my purse (found it at Long's in the trial size/travel section). It's a stretchy holder with holes cut out for the bottle, and I just keep replacing it.

 

Whenever DH and I go ANYWHERE to eat, I make us both clean our hands with Purell before we serve at a buffet, but especially AFTER, when we sit down to eat.

 

I also use it after I leave a public restroom, even after washing my hands. It's the faucet handles, paper towel lever, and door handle that bother me the most, so I use the Purell after I leave the restroom.

 

We do the same thing on cruises. I'm sure we've both had some version of Noro, since we've both had "bathroom-centric" experiences, but they have been so minor, we don't register it might be a virus. I am so lactose intolerant that I just think I overdid. Probably was a Noro, but our immune systems are in good shape.

[FlyingPhotog]

Let's try that picture again, it won't let me go back and edit....

 

 

[3redheads]

Paul,

 

That's too funny! They could always make this mandatory reading:

 

http://www.henrythehand.com/webp/henry_the_hand_skit.htm

 

and put this in the packet:

 

 

and this:

 

 

or we could use the blacklight to inspect their hands :D

 

Ok, enough. I'm having too much fun!

 

Kim

[Optifire]

GDMOR...that was cute..I liked that...

 

MACBASSET....that was a great tip about putting the remote control in a zippie bag...going to do that the next time for sure....