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A message for those scared by Noro
Hi guys,
Instead of replying to a lot of threads about the dreaded Norovirus, I thought I would start a new one and hopefully reassure and make you all feel much happier, more comfortable and fairly informed. :)
Why the fear in the first place?
If I asked most of you (admittedly not all of you-but the vast majority of you) why you were so scared of this stomach virus you would probably start with: " ...because I read that...." Or "...because I heard that...." Etc etc. I have a friend who is very fun loving and enjoys venturing out, meeting lots of people, travelling-she's always out and about and she's full of life and really happy. The other day when I happened to mention this Norovirus, she knew absolutely nothing about it. Nothing. She doesn't spend her time reading what the papers have to say or googling the net for what nasty horror stories on Noro. Despite her mixing with a lot of people and her adventures she has never been ill as long as I can remember. The press will write about stuff like this to sell their papers. Why? Because people will see it on the front page and they'll pick it up and take the paper to the till, because they're scared and they want to know what the paper has to say about it-they want to be in the know-they want to know how bad it is. All this sensationalism makes the press their money. What do they really know? No more than you and me!
Statistics and Risks
Ok, so we know it's around. We know it exists. BUT, if we're honest, does it really affect us? By "us" I mean those people who lead normal, healthy lives, who don't fall into a high risk category, who are careful with their hygiene, but who unfortunately suffer from a bit of anxiety. For you to be at risk of Norovirus you need to be in the right place at the right time. This would mean for example, if you were a healthcare worker in a busy hospital and a number of patients on the ward you look after have this virus. You have to help them recover, perhaps wash them, wash their sheets, clean up any messes they may have made-ok, quite high risk-but how many of you who are worried do this job? Another risk factor, is if you are a parent and your child has it (which I appreciate has been the case a few times on this forum), however even if you are at higher risk, this does not guarantee you bad luck. This is not a given. Out of an estimated 66 million people in the UK about 600 000 to a million (being generous) people will be unlucky enough to contract this virus-and that will be from extreme exposure circumstances. The other 65 million people won't get it. Do you think it's realistic to think you will be one of them?
Transmission
The virus is transmitted via the fecal-oral route. So, this means you need to swallow the viral particles of the virus in order to possibly become infected. The viral particles are not the same as the particles of a common cold where it is possible to breathe them in from an infected person. These particles are only present in the stool and vomit of an infected person. So, to be at risk someone would have to vomit right next to you. When is this likely to happen to you, walking through town, sitting in a restaurant, meeting your friend, sitting next to your work mate? Not very likely at all, as most people would stay away from public areas, if they were ill. The only thing you do need to be aware of is that the virus can linger on surfaces, so hand washing is key to avoiding this-especially if you touch objects such as cash machines, chip and pin machines, public door handles etc.
Staying safe
As simple as it sounds, handwashing is the best preventative. The portable handgels can have their advantages, but they will not be very effective against Noro. All you need is soap and warm water. Do not use boiling water, as this will burn you. Warm water is fine. Be generous with the soap and make sure you rub it in gently all over your hands, between the fingers, palms and the front of the hands-this may take up to 30 seconds, then rinse, but remember you are not killing the virus-it is being flushed down the drain. Use clean towels, keep hard surfaces clean and don't let anyone prepare food for you, if you know they have the virus. Other than this, a good diet will help and generally a healthy lifestyle.
If you do get it...
...it is not the end of the world. Think back in your life at some things that happened to you in the past that were scary or unpleasant. Now, look at yourself. You got through it-the same as you will get through this. Nobody is denying this virus is unpleasant, but it is not as bad as all that either. Fluids should be drunk when they are able to be kept down, followed by a diet of bland foods for a couple of days. Your body will fight the virus itself and within 2-3 days you will be fine. Always remember that. :)
Finally, believe in yourself and not in what other people have to say. People are all gossip queens and thrive talking about stuff like this-don't listen to them and don't listen to the papers either, as it's all overrated! Just follow the basic hygiene rules, be sensible and you will be absolutely fine. I'm sure if I ask you again in the summertime, who actually suffered from this, a lot of you will say you didn't. If I ask you who was scared of it, you will all say you were! :) Now, please guys. Give a yourself a break. Allow yourself to be happy. Don't get stuck inside your head. Have some confidence and be the strong people that you all are. Have a fantastic Christmas and New Year and I hope all your wishes come true. Take care guys! :yesyes:
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Re: A message for those scared by Noro
Brilliant post thank you, calmed me down a lot
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Re: A message for those scared by Noro
Thank you for your thoughtful post - and for wanting to reassure us emets! Unfortunately, whilst we can read and take it in and try to be logical, when vomiting is more terryifying than death (no exaggeration) it is very hard to stay logical.
We do everything we can to minimise the risks, but we have no control over other people who don't take care of hygiene and don't think about how they could be contaminating others by not washing and going out when they're still contagious.
It does help to read the facts - I will keep coming back to read this when I need reminding :blush:
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Re: A message for those scared by Noro
so... any time you get into a panic over this, come & read Iced Diamond's excellent post. Read it over & over until this new healthier version of events replaces any unrealistic fears or views that have stuck in your mind previously.
This is a sound & realistic version so let's stick to it.
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Re: A message for those scared by Noro
Thank you Iced Diamond .. what you say is so true. I once went to a therapist and told her I was petrified of Norovirus and her reply was 'What's that?' She really had never heard of it .. she didn't read papers or watch T.V.
I'll keep coming back to your post .. I'm trying so hard, because I really do want rid of this phobia. It spoils so much of my life.
Thank You :)
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What a great post, thank you do much . I will keep this in my mind. It has helped me already, let's all try together to keep this in perspective and I wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a healthy one x
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Thank you so much for this post..I have been a bag of nerves today as a sickness bug is going around my neighbour hood and I'm worring incase my household get it..I've had 3 panic attacks today already..reading your post has calmed me down so much :)
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Thanks for this lovely calm logical and thoughtful posting.I have read it, digested it and cogitated it. And for the time being my sensible logical self is happy with the words you so kindly wrote..x
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Re: A message for those scared by Noro
Considering someone in my area complained of having the Norovirus on the 20th, I've heard of no one else go down with it in my area, which is great. I'm still taking extra precautions though, and so is the rest of my family.
I've stopped looking at the News and stuff about it as well now as it just makes everything worse.
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Re: A message for those scared by Noro
Thank you for such a reassuring and matter of fact post Iced_diamond. I've had the most horrid day due to anxiety and reading your post has helped calm me down a little. As with others, the logical part of my brain knows all this but just cannot rationalise with the phobia part....but I always feel a little better when someone else can provide reassurance so thank you.
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This is awesome thank you
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Re: A message for those scared by Noro
Hi all, I'm really glad that I have managed to calm some of you down with my post. I appreciate how hard it can be to try and see past all the hype, but we really have to guys. :) This week alone there have been many more stories about the virus and you might hear that a lot of cruiseliners have been plagued with it. This has been occupying the news for the last week. Best thing to do is ignore it, but if you can't then look at it this way: The news reported about how awful all the outbreaks on cruise ships are and how all the passengers have suffered so dreadfully-but out of over 2000 people on the cruise ship about 103 passengers had it. So, all the hype was over 103 people. The reports didn't bother mentioning that the other 1900 people were fine-again, that's typical for the press. And these other 1900 people didn't get it and they were in a much more risky position than maybe you and I, so that goes to show that we are not all doomed. :) just keep up the good hygiene, as you would anyway and you'll be fine. Let them carry on talking and making sloppy, uninteresting, boring, old hat and childish news reports- meanwhile we'll all celebrate a great start to 2013, ok? :bighug1:
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Thank You! Yes ... very determined now!
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Iced_diamond; i'm still grateful.... i had to visit my partner's family xmas day & 2 of them had the virus in the days leading up to it. i reassured myself by quoting (in my head) some of the content of your post. thats the way forward for anyone with a phobia, replacing the fear with things that are more realistic & dont play up to the fear or allow the downward spiral of thoughts. i'm always grateful to anyone that makes statements of fact that ease the fear. thats why i found cbt so helpful as the coping strategies i'd learned & that werent working for me were replaced with a healthy alternative way of thinking.
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Tessar .. can I ask you please abot the CBT .. did you go to a therapist or was it done with books, C.D.s etc i.e. self help.
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Thank you so much for posting that. It's so refreshing to hear a logical version of the dreaded norovirus.. Oh to be "normal" :) xx
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
Grape
Tessar .. can I ask you please abot the CBT .. did you go to a therapist or was it done with books, C.D.s etc i.e. self help.
hi grape; i was diagnosed with depression & referred by my doctor for CBT. It was over a year & a half into treatment when I finally admitted to my therapist about this phobia. She was quite shocked I'd never mentioned it before but i explained I didnt want to 'contaminate' my sessions talking about it. In the end it was necessary as friends wanted us to go on holiday abroad with them. That meant flying which meant facing the phobia. There were many other issues I was dealing with that until this point were more important to sort out but I knew eventually the emetophobia would come up (hmnn unfortunate pun).
My therapist made me talk about it; I had to use the words (that I shant mention now-the ones we all hate). She made me say out loud which I hated; I can still remember sitting there squirming & hating it but it was a necessary part of the process. We discussed statistics about flying, the likelihood of being on a bad flight, how I might feel panicked about being on a plane. Also we discussed how my day-to-day life was affected by the phobia, the stuff that was going round & round in my head, on & on. One thing with therapy is that you do need to face your fears even though it can be very uncomfortable. It helps you accept that just talking about something you fear isnt going to make it happen. You do become more accepting of the situation. So although I came away knowing that I may still have to face situations that would make me anxious, I was far better equipped to deal with it.
I have a huge pile of self-help books all of which in their own way are helpful to me & I still refer to them regularly. It's like a top up that keeps me toeing the line. I couldnt have done CBT on my own though. For anyone with an issue that's impacting on day to day life, I'd recommend CBT & also doing this with a therapist. Because of the way phobias work its so hard to see alternative viewpoints yourself or to understand what's lying behind the phobia as well. Plus you learn to recognise the negative patterns at their outset & so dont go as far down the line of downward thoughts because you put the brakes on sooner. CBT would certainly help in these respects. Also you can apply the same logic in other areas of your life & experience improvement in them too.
Before CBT it scared the hell out of me but these days even though I have spikes in anxiety over the phobia, I am able to be more realistic about what is happening. I calm down more quickly than I used to. Just by nature, I still have times when thoughts go round & round in my head but I'm much better to notice the triggers & switch my thoughts elsewhere by changing my focus. There are key things my therapist said to me which I have never forgotten. It's amazing that 7 years down the line, I can recall word for word, things she said to me. All of that comes from doing CBT.
I'm glad I did it and would recommend CBT to anyone. It needs commitment & you have to be willing to change but it is so worthwhile. It changed my life for the better.
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Re: A message for those scared by Noro
Thanks Tessar, that's been really helpful ... now need to look into it in the New Year and see if I can find a therapist. I've had hypnotherapy and acupuncture but wondered if CBT would be more helpful .. and am now sure it would! Many thanks and Happy New Year!
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I'm having exposure therapy at the moment, and it's making me nervous, but if it means getting rid of this phobia forever then I'm willing to get through it.
edit: If you do get it eventually, which I highly doubt since we're emets and have the best hygiene then you will be perfectly fine! You will find that the whole worrying part is worse than having the norovirus itself. I've recently had to take care of a friend who's had it since their parents are away, and although I've been getting them stuff, taking the bucket out and cleaning it out etc, I'm fine! I didn't even catch it at all. It's NOT as contagious as we all think it is to be honest.
I hope you all have a fantastic new year!
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Re: A message for those scared by Noro
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Rls1994
I'm having exposure therapy at the moment, and it's making me nervous, but if it means getting rid of this phobia forever then I'm willing to get through it.
edit: If you do get it eventually, which I highly doubt since we're emets and have the best hygiene then you will be perfectly fine! You will find that the whole worrying part is worse than having the norovirus itself. I've recently had to take care of a friend who's had it since their parents are away, and although I've been getting them stuff, taking the bucket out and cleaning it out etc, I'm fine! I didn't even catch it at all. It's NOT as contagious as we all think it is to be honest.
I hope you all have a fantastic new year!
The therapy must b working then as I couldn't have done that!
All the best for 2013 to u & every1 else here
---------- Post added at 22:34 ---------- Previous post was at 22:32 ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Grape
Thanks Tessar, that's been really helpful ... now need to look into it in the New Year and see if I can find a therapist. I've had hypnotherapy and acupuncture but wondered if CBT would be more helpful .. and am now sure it would! Many thanks and Happy New Year!
Excellent news! Funny coz until my year went a bit pear shaped, I'd spoken 2a hypnotherapist & had bn about 2 start treatment. Happy new year 2 u 2!
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Hi Rls1994, can I ask what the exposure therapy is like? I'm currently on a waiting list for CBT for my emetephobia and the previous therapist I saw (albeit briefly) forewarned me that CBT would involve this....as you can imagine I cringed and started having palpitations! I fear that it would involve things like having to watch a real person vomit in front of me/watch a clip/film of someone vomiting etc. So I am feeling very nervous about this!
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Hey Monkey_Mo. :)
To be honest, I haven't even had any proper sessions yet. My last session was about the things we're going to go through. My therapist told me to write down things from the least worrying, which for me, is just talking about vomit to the most worrying which of course, is being sick. What they basically do is keep exposing you to something until you no longer have any anxiety over it. For my least worrying problem which is just speaking about vomit, it's not going to be that bad. It's when they get to, like you mentioned, seeing pictures and videos of people vomiting. My therapist did say they're going to do that to me eventually, so of course I'm scared.. :/ But tell me, if it means going through exposure therapy to cure your emetophobia forever would you go through it?
The thing is, they do it very gradually and slowly. I don't know how they're going to get me through my most fearful thing, which is being sick though. :scared10: They won't get a person to vomit in front of you though, don't worry about that.
They somehow change your thinking habits so that you no longer have the fear. There's only so much they can help you with though, you do need to help yourself too.
When I have my next session, which is on the 7th this month, I will let you know how it goes. I hope we're going to start the real sessions then.
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Thanks for that reassuring post! I am so worried about it and this is the first time I have felt like it! :( coming on here though has really helped. I go inn holiday a week on Sunday, I'm terrified of coming down with noro and it ruins the hol!
I usually don't worry about these things but this year I'm suffering but all the bad press doesn't help! We would all be getting on as normal if it wasn't hyped up!
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Oh my goodness ... I was so determined to be positive and was doing really well. Then last night a blue light ambulance came to one of our neighbours who is an elderley man with a long term illness. I asked my hubby to pop down to see if he was o.k. The ambulance people said that he'd had an allergic reaction to his medication .. and was v....ing a lot!!! (which my hubby saw through the window) He wasn't admitted and this morning one of my other neighbours who went in the house says that its norovirus!!!!!!!!!! In spite of my good intentions I am now PARANOID!! My legs are like jelly and my stomach is in my mouth ... and all the other classic anxiety symptoms. My hubby didn't go in the house but was standing outside talking to someone who did. I know I shouldn't be like this .... but I feel terrible. Also, the fact that it's so close to me ... in the neighbourhood is panicking me. I was feeling much better (mind you, I thought it had 'gone away') HELP!!
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hi grape, i can relate to how you feel, I'd probably be the same. What you need to do is GET YOUR MIND FOCUSING AWAY FROM WHAT HAPPENED... I know that's not easy as it was close to home but you need to allow this to drift away from your consciousness & FILL YOUR MIND WITH OTHER THINGS, GET BUSY.
Bearing in mind the reassuring advice I read by Iced_Diamond about noro, there is no way that you are at risk. Your husband didnt touch anything & by just standing there next to someone who'd been in the house - he is not at risk at all. Look at the facts, not your reaction.
What you need to be doing is re-training yourself not to react as badly. Each time something like this happens, of course there'll be an initial reaction. I still get my "initial reaction" desipite covering this in cbt. But what I now do is tame the reaction because I know it's just that.... a reaction. You are programmed (just like me & other emets) to react this way. So, GET THOSE DISTRACTION TECHNIQUES GOING. Get your mind busy on other subjects. When it comes to anything reminding you of this, change your focus. Be disciplined about it. Take control.
To give you an example of how this works...........My little niece told me a story over the weekend that (for me to hear) was a gross. This was Sun p.m. I could have spent the rest of the weekend obsessing over it... like I would have done previously or .... I told myself that I could choose that any time I remembered the subject, I could allow the thoughts to slip away & be replaced by something more productive. It worked. Of course I thought about it (like I am now) but the point is I didnt dwell & allow myself to get into a frenzy. Have you had any more thoughts about CBT? It doesnt have to be exposure therapy (there is NO way I would do that). But learning techniques about focus & taking control of situations you can change are very benecifial.
Oh & Before I go, I congratulate you on your concern for your neighbour - that is very kind of you. Sometimes kindness leads to stuff we dont want to happen but I'm sure in the future you'll still be kind & will act in the best intersts of others :-)
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Thank you Tessr .. I am feeling calmer now and am trying to be very busy (post Christmas sort-out!) Your post helped me a lot and yes, I've been looking for CBT therapists in my area (not an easy task .. I would like to see recommendations from others who'd been there. It's quite confusing as there are quite a lot of them to look at but will try to sort something) I find this forum very helpful .. and your recent post has really helped. Thank You!:hugs:
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Thanks to everyone for posting your personal experiences. It helps all us emets to know that we are not alone.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
Grape
Thank you Tessr .. I am feeling calmer now and am trying to be very busy (post Christmas sort-out!) Your post helped me a lot and yes, I've been looking for CBT therapists in my area (not an easy task .. I would like to see recommendations from others who'd been there. It's quite confusing as there are quite a lot of them to look at but will try to sort something) I find this forum very helpful .. and your recent post has really helped. Thank You!:hugs:
Excellent, well done u!
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Just like to add my thanks to the OP. First post too so hello all. So much respect for everyone battling their emet demons, I'd like to think I'm not with an extreme case of emet but I reckon if I were to be viewed I'll be told otherwise. I've not had a virus for a few years and before that remember being ill once in my life. Touching all available wood.
I've visited friends who've recently had it over Christmas and my badminton doubles partner had it 2 days before a match I played in with him, I shook hands and everything!
So long as we keep our hand washing up, use common sense and stay healthy, it can't touch us. Thanks again to the OP. wish the media would give advice on how to prevent it rather than what to do if people have it. Prevention > cure!
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Lots of people in my area seem to be getting this which worries me lots as a severe emet, however i have a small bottle of hand sanitizer and wash my hands frequently and i am fine (touch wood). The 'pandemic' should be over soon :)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
McHovis
Lots of people in my area seem to be getting this which worries me lots as a severe emet, however i have a small bottle of hand sanitizer and wash my hands frequently and i am fine (touch wood). The 'pandemic' should be over soon :)
Hmmmn, it's not a pandemic. I think I'll ban that word now. Replace it with 'outbreak'. It happens. Soon it'll be summer (hopefully) and we can all be happy. I am an emet myself, McHovis, have you read the info at the beginning of this thread? It's really good. You need to read it over & over so that you can replace the more negative things you might see in the press with some good old plain facts. I recite some of the post from iced_diamond to myself daily. Try it, It's very reassuring.
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I'm finding comfort in reading recent stories that grape seed extract, in small doses, broke down the protein 'shell' of the noro, reducing its binding ability when tests were made. Been tested on viruses of the same make up as noro but they can't replicate the noro we suffer from. Here's hoping!
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Thank you so much. I've only heard about it in passing, like when my boyfriend has been watching the news BUT THEN I couldn't get hold of my mum today (who popped round last night) and after sending my dad round to see if she was ok he told me she had the bug. I have since been clamped to the sofa, carefully rocking and trying very hard to listen to my bf calming me down. This post has helped so much though. Because she wasn't showing any symptoms last night and I'm usually more hygienic than most I will DEFINITELY not be getting it - she knows better than to come close to me if she's ill. Bit scared to know that my alcohol gel won't help much though, I religiously carry it with my constantly.
Not having a good time of Noro this year as in Dec I went back to work after a weekend off to find out that SEVEN people in my shop had come down with it in the week - I could have died. THEN, this Saturday, someone was actually ill in our staff toilet. Seriously - could life get much more tricky for me right now!?
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Thank you for this post :) I have heard about it on the news and it just brings all the horrible thoughts...but it's just the media making it out to be a big deal like they do with everything.
And for those who work in offices or other places you may not always be able to wash your hands (like if you eat at a desk or are out shopping etc) then Boots do an antiviral foam. I work in a food testing lab so everyone has to wash their hands when leaving and entering so it's great :) But I like to carry one around in my bag when I can't wash my hands before eating. I also don't bite my nails!!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
Tessar
Hmmmn, it's not a pandemic. I think I'll ban that word now. Replace it with 'outbreak'. It happens. Soon it'll be summer (hopefully) and we can all be happy. I am an emet myself, McHovis, have you read the info at the beginning of this thread? It's really good. You need to read it over & over so that you can replace the more negative things you might see in the press with some good old plain facts. I recite some of the post from iced_diamond to myself daily. Try it, It's very reassuring.
Yes i suppose i should do so. I wasn't sure of the correct term so 'pandemic' was usely used :P
Thanks again :)
Joe x
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That was a really good post. Reading it allows me to cope a lot better. I've been reading and researching a great deal about this virus and what you can do to prevent catching it. The post is exactly right. Good hand hygiene is the way forward. I also use Purell vf481, clinically proven to reduce the virus by 99.99% it works VERY WELL. Google it and look at the tests conducted. No hype just good solid science and testing. I've done some sums and 98% of the population will not get the virus based on the HPA web site figures. Swine Flu peak saw 44% of the population have it (according to HPA figures) so the Noro outbreak sits at 1.8%. Those are good odds not to get it, plus we're all so diligent with our personal hygiene, thus increasing our odds of not getting it. I also use a spray bleach around the house on all surfaces and handles, this puts the odds up again!! I know exactly what you are all going through but remain positive. Do all you need to do to give piece of mind and as the post says, live and enjoy life. Have faith! :hugs:
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That's good news London Lad ... and the 98% sounds even better! Have not heard of the Purell vf481 before .. will check it out. Is it just me, or does it seem to be on the decline? (or have they now found more to report about now that everyone's back at work / school? ) Yep .. our motto should be 'Live and enjoy life' :hugs:to all!
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my kids are returning to school/nursery tomorrow and I'm a bag of nerves. it says on the news that 1 in 5 people in Scotland have had/will get Boro virus. starting to go into meltdown over this dreaded bug. sooooooo tempted to keep them home where I know they are safe, but my partner would go nuts if I did. read on Facebook that a friend had the bug Saturday night, yet still went into work on Sunday. he works in a toy store so dread to think of the amount of people he has infected. it really drives me mad when people are so inconsiderate. WISH IT WOULD ALL JUST GO AWAY! :weep: