Comments on: The Norovirus: A Study in Puked Perfection

By: catherine birch

catherine birch — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:59:06 +0000

I don`t understand why no-one thinks to use anti-emetics with this bug. There are plenty that dissolve in the mouth if they can`t keep anything down. Iv`e never had this bug, but I always keep some disolvable anti-emetics on hand just in case. I don`t intend to be used as a form of transport by this virus, & I won`t be responsible for infecting others.

By: Marion koopmans

Marion koopmans — Wed, 01 May 2013 19:20:02 +0000

Yes, there are good lab tests for norovirus. You need to bring a stool sample, there are many labs that can test for presence of the virus. All state labs are set up for it, and many hospital labs. Virus is detectable up to a week after onset of illness, and longer in many people.

By: Joe Personal

Joe Personal — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 12:36:36 +0000

I am from US. Spent a week in Norway, flew from there to Houston (via Amsterdam) on KLH on Sunday. Mid-morning on Monday it started with voting then diarrhea by afternoon. Four days of hell so far. Seeing doctor this morn. Is Norovirus something that can be diagnosed by lab tests or only by deduction?
Thanks.

By: Ed Rybicki

Ed Rybicki — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 09:12:09 +0000

Carl: judging from the comments, it seems as though
a) there is more than one norovirus type co-circulating (which is why people are getting infected more than once)
b) they are / one is more virulent than normal (which is why people are getting so sick).
Seriously: have you contacted the CDC to see whether or not there is more norovirus activity than normal, and if the strains are nastier? It would be interesting to see…maybe Google should have a “Norovirus Watch” page as well as its flu scan utility?

By: no milk please

no milk please — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:04:56 +0000

Thanks Robbie!
I’m taking probiotics as well but had not thought to take spirulina – good idea! It’s been 2 weeks since my last bout but I still have abdominal discomfort – sort of a grinding, growling, angry gut. I’ve never experienced IBS but I have a feeling now what it must be like to have it. UGH! I just want my happy little digestive system back!

By: Holly

Holly — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 15:04:36 +0000

I identify with the last comment. After I had it, I got acid reflux that would not go away. I changed my diet … 3/4 veggies and fruit, flax, etc. and it is now gone. It is the worst virus I have ever had. I felt weak and fatigued for a good two months after having this.

By: robbie p

robbie p — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:50:24 +0000

^^^^ I have now had this virus 4 times. Last 3 have been within 2-3 weeks as well. My son and I both got it together. He puked once, but I have yet to ever puke. I just get cramping and abdominal pains, headache, light nausea, even discomfort when I pee. After a few days that all goes away, this has been my lightest bout yet thankfully. Not that I am happy you had this 3 times, but that I am not the only one! I am currently taking 50 – 80 billion probiotics per day, high fiber, and just added spirulina pills to detox.

By: no milk please

no milk please — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:50:49 +0000

I’ve had this thing 3 times since mid-February. What is so weird is that the events are exactly 3 weeks apart and begin at the very same time of day. Has this happened to anyone else? One thing that I found helpful to stay hydrated with was chamomile tea – I think it must relax the abdominal muscles enough so that the vomit reflex doesn’t happen. I guess I’m living in fear of having another episode. Fortunately my husband hasn’t contracted it!

By: Keith Ayres

Keith Ayres — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 20:43:50 +0000

Can’t believe I read the whole blog from top to bottom(!). Excellent article with excellent additional contributions. Really useful to understand more clearly some of the science – both on how the virus works and how some of the cleaning products we frantically use, do not! My family of
Six are all recovering from experiencing the ‘joys’ of the norovirus bug. Speaking for
myself, the 6 hours of ‘events’ experienced on Wednesday / Thursday were truly the worse I have ever experienced. My problem now is the careful balancing act of suitable food to get back to a normal diet. Have read many suggestions. BRAT being the easiest to remember (Banana, Rice, Applesauce, Toast). Any further suggestions to aid a needy recovering stomach? Please forgive grammatical and spelling errors. Written this only able to see a few words at a time before it disappears out of sight.

By: Fran Koning

Fran Koning — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:57:19 +0000

I contracted this within 24 hours of being exposed to a child with the virus. My older daughter, 31, got it at the same time. Now my younger daughter, 14, has it and my husband. I have never puked like that in my entire life. Seven hours, every fifteen minutes. Started feeling better 48 hours later, but now, 3 days later, I am nauseous again, bloated, lower parts are grinding away, still have diarrhea. I thought it was supposed to ‘let up’ after 48 hours. The funny thing is: the child I contracted it from was sick for about 8 hours and then recovered nicely. Why is this lasting longer with me? The first night, all of my joints were on fire and I felt like I had red ants crawling up and down my legs. I am currently at work, but am contemplating going home for the rest of the day…