EPT![[image loading]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7b/Norwalk.jpg)
This little bugger is highly contagious through contact, however what may be not quite as commonly known is that it is also able to infect people through air. But I'll get back to that shortly.
It only takes a handshake, holding the same pen as someone else or using the same doorknob/-handle in order to get infected. A mistake a lot of people do is that they open the spring and was their hands, just to put their hands on the handle to shut off the spring again. After that, they put the very same hand on the doorknob/-handle and eventually get to their meal. I'll assume that by now you see how little use there is in washing one's hands if you're just going to get the potential virus back on your hands.
So to set up the usual list of how to prevent infection:
1. Wash your hands for 20-30 seconds. Washing your hands for 5 seconds kills off about 50% of the germs, however by washing for 20-30 seconds with soap and hot, running water you're killing off close to 90%.
2. You don't need to wash your hands all the time - only before you're about to have them close to your mouth. Thus, this mostly applies for when you're about to eat. Wash them well and do not use your hands to open doors - try using your elbows or such instead. Especially if you're working at a school.
3. Remember that even after people have become healthy again from the Noro-virus, they're still contagious for up to 48 hours. So if you're in the same house as someone who's had it, you're not certain you've stayed clear for four days. This is due to the fact that it takes 12-48 hours after the infection until it breaks out.
4. The virus can spread through airborne paths. However, this only applies while a person is vomiting and shortly after. So if a person has recently used the bathroom for throwing up, I'd either find a different toilet or wait a while before going in. Nevertheless, if you're a parent you're screwed - after all, you can't leave your kid alone in there.
So remember:
![[image loading]](http://www.cruiselawnews.com/uploads/image/norovirus-2.jpg)
From personal experience the hand washing works wonders. I've been working at two different schools for a total of three years and have stayed clear the virus, despite holding hands with sick kids to get them home (well, lead them out to their parents) and such. I never touch my food at work nor let anyone else do so, except some situations of course.
I always wash my hand well before eating and stay clear doorhandles. I've also been very careful about my cellphone and try to wash my hands before using that as well, since I rarely use it any while at work.
Now, I know these are all pretty much the same advice you've heard here and there, consequently I'm not about to act as though this is all news to you. But I just like to spread extra awareness and hopefully someone actually learned something they didn't before. You may also find that being sick a couple of days is worth not having to wash your hands all the time, and that's fair game. You may also want to write about how clean we all are and that we're producing super-bacterias by doing so and I guess you're right as well.
Still, it's nice staying healthy too.
Should you have any experiences or questions, I'd love it you'd share them.
