New Strain of Norovirus - the Winter Vomiting Bug - On the Rise

A new norovirus strain was detected last year in Australia and has reached the United States.

Although the flu is on everyone’s minds this season, the winter vomiting bug, or the norovirus, is also making its rounds. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the norovirus causes about 70,000 hospitalizations and 800 deaths each year, mostly in young children and the elderly. Some of the virus' common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pains. The CDC points out that the norovirus is often referred to as the stomach flu, but it is unrelated to influenza. A New Norovirus Strain A new norovirus strain, GII.4 Sydney, was detected last year in Australia.  The strain hit the U.K. and sickened over a million people. It has now reached the United States and this new strain appears to be …

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The Parent Yap

MomTalk: The Worst Party Favor: Germs

Reader C.L. asked the Mom’s Council: “What do you do when you arrive at a friend/family members home for a party and learn they are getting over Noro-virus or some other illness? Do you stay? Do you leave?”

Laurie Hunt This topic really bothers me. I wish, in general, more people were considerate when it comes to entertaining and/or visiting when ill. This goes beyond parenting as there are many reasons to be considerate. People may have a trip coming up, a surgery/procedure, be on a medication that impacts their immune system, have an upcoming important/crazy time at work, need to care for an elderly/sick relative… the list goes on. The reader who posed this question said she felt obligated to stay as the party was a family event the weekend before Christmas. Well, the poor thing had to deal with the stomach bug at her house days before Christmas as a result and children home from school sick when she should have been getting her last minute…

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