In this video you're going to learn about the nasty stomach bug that is Norovirus.
What it is, how to avoid getting it and what to do if you get it.
Hi I'm Gary Bembridge of Tips For Travellers, and also the author of some cruise
books like the "Cruise Traveler's Handbook" and "Essential Cruise Tips". in this video
I want to be talking about that horrible thing that is Norovirus, particularly in
relation to cruising. I've been on about 50 cruises at the time making this video, and
I've been on ships when it's had an outbreak of Norovirus - and I haven't
caught it. So I'm going to share tips and advice on how you too can make sure that
you avoid Norovirus. The important thing to know about Norovirus is it's not
specifically related to cruising. The Center for Disease Control and
Prevention in the United States estimates that probably less than 1% of
all outbreaks of Norovirus actually happen on a cruise ship. Up to 20 million
people a year in the United States can suffer from Norovirus, and one million in
the UK. So it's a big problem. First of all, what is norovirus? Norovirus is a
gastrointestinal illness and cause vomiting and diarrhoea. You can also have
headaches, fever and stomach cramps. As I mentioned it's not unique to ships. It
breaks out a lot on land, but what's very important about norovirus - because it is
so contagious - it tends to break out when there are concentrated groups of
people. So things like hospitals, care homes and of course cruise ships where
you have a lot of people in a contained space. Norovirus is very contagious and
basically it spreads through touch, so it you can pick it up by doing things like
shaking hands, touching doorknobs - basically touching anything that has the
virus on it. So it's really really contagious and it spreads very easily, and
it requires a lot of discipline to make sure that you do not get it. So how can
you avoid getting norovirus? Well actually it's surprisingly simple. The
single most important way of stopping getting norovirus is by washing your
hands with soap and water very frequently. If you keep doing that, this
is going to really minimize your chance of getting norovirus. When you wash your
thoroughly. One of the little tips that I was given by a captain on board a Cunard
ship is sing to yourself "happy birthday"! That's going to be about as
long as it takes to make sure that your hands are washed properly. Wash your
hands very frequently and avoid touching surfaces that people touch a lot. So try
and avoid things on a cruise ship like the handrails, pushing buttons on the
elevator and if you use one of the public restrooms, when you leave, either you use
a tissue or you pull down your sleeve or something and open the door to leave the
bathroom. Try and avoid physical contact with other people. So you'll find on a
lot of cruise ships the Captain and the officers when they
have the Captain's parties will not shake your hand.
They might just nod or they'll bump elbows instead. Now alcohol gel is obviously
helpful, and it it's important on a cruise ship, so you'll find that everywhere.
But it's no substitute to washing hands with soap and water. Another
important tip, and this happens a lot particularly when there's an outbreak of
norovirus, is if you need to use the bathroom try and go to your own cabin.
Don't use the public restrooms around the ship because that could be an area
where people aren't being as diligent in terms of washing their hands and the
virus could be spread. Two other very important things about norovirus is if
you board the ship, and you've either had diarrhea or you've had vomiting, when you
fill out that questionnaire that everybody has to fill out before you
board the ship... be honest! Because one of the biggest problems with norovirus is
people bring it onto the ship so ships spend a lot of time cleansing
surfaces, trying to keep everything clean - but if someone boards a ship who's
suffering from diarrhea or vomiting or has the virus they can spread it very
easily. And once it's a on board a ship it's quite hard to contain, so if you do have
any of those symptoms when you fill out the questionnaire be honest about it if
everyone was honest about it. It would probably stop the spread on board cruise
ships. The downside of filling it out is you're probably going to be quarantined
in your cabin for at least 48 hours until they can make sure that it's clear.
So you might find the first days of your cruise you're not allowed to actually
get out and about on the ship. However, if you are bringing the virus on board
that's the best way of stopping it is being honest when you fill out the
questionnaire. The other thing that I tend to do when I board a ship to avoid
getting that the norovirus, is in the first couple of
the first 48 hours / first two or three days I don't use the buffet restaurant,
because that's often where people are congregating also touching different
implements - and it's basically a place where lots of people are going. So
I tend to avoid the buffet restaurant for the first couple of days of a cruise
until the cruise is underway and it's very clear that there's no cases of
norovirus on the ship. So that's another good way of avoiding it. The thing with
the norovirus is it can take up to 48 hours before it actually manifests
itself, and unfortunately there's no cure for it. You basically have to ride it out.
So the key thing is making yourself comfortable.
The minute you start having symptoms report it. What ships ask you to do is
not go to the medical centre but go straight to your cabin, pick up the phone and
phone the medical centre. Ships generally do not charge you if you
report any sort of gastro problems. So if you have vomiting or diarrhoea, you may
also have headaches ,stomach cramps or fevers, reporting to the medical center
they're unlikely to charge you for any services that they may provide. What will
likely happen is a nurse or doctor will come and see you. They'll document your
various symptoms and they will probably give you some anti-diarrheal products. So
for example some of the brands or products you might have heard of are
things like Imodium or Diarolyte, and also you will be encouraged to
make sure that you stay rehydrated. So you're asked to drink lots of liquid or
you'll be given some of the kind of product which helps reabsorb lots of
vitamins and minerals. Any products they give you and any consultations you're
unlikely to be charged for because norovirus is such a big issue and ships
do not want to discourage people from reporting it. The other way
that is treated is, because the symptoms can again also last for up to 48 hours,
you will be quarantined in your cabin - and you will be asked not to leave your
cabin. They will also come and wash your bedding quite frequently,
they'll make sure that you are brought meals to your rooms particular targeting to
make sure that you are rehydrating and getting minerals and things
back. You will be asked to stay in your cabin and it is very important if you do
have the symptoms to stay in your cabin. You're going to lose some days on
your vacation, but it's better than it spreading right throughout the ship.
There's no specific treatment, it's really just letting it work through your
system and using products to make your life a little bit more comfortable. Don't
let the fear of norovirus put you off going on a cruise.
Although norovirus breakouts on a ship get a lot of publicity, bear in mind that
norovirus is very prevalent all over the place. It does tend to happen when people
congregate, so things like hospitals, care homes and of course on a ship. So final
thought about the norovirus: it's really about taking care, washing your hands
incredibly frequently, avoiding touching surfaces, avoiding physical contact with people like
shaking hands. If you do have any symptoms it's really important go to
your cabin and let the medical centre know. Unfortunately if you do get
norovirus you just have to ride it out and take those various products that are
going to make your life more comfortable. I hope you found that helpful. If you have
any other thoughts or tips on your experiences of norovirus please leave
them in the comments. It would also be great if you gave a "like" to the video
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