OT: They are calling it an epidemic

[Casey B]

Gastrointestinal illnesses, see below.

 

[Greg Stuhlsatz]

I don't usually get sick but I got this crap on new years eve.

 

[TomT]

I can't tell you how many people I know that have had this illness. Luckily it only lasts a couple of days, but it is a miserable couple of days.

 

[Bill Ellis]

My wife had that before Christmas but no one else in the house caught it. She was a sick puppy for two days then.....all better. It's the "Cruise Ship" virus. Usually food born due to poor sanitary practices. Research norwalk virus on the web and you can read all about it.

 

[Bill Ellis]

HERNDON, Va. — The Hilton hotel near Dulles International Airport has been closed for a top-to-bottom scrubbing after more than 100 guests were sickened by the highly contagious norovirus, a hotel spokesman said Friday.



A total of 120 people, including 105 guests and 15 employees, have fallen ill, said Jim Cree, the hotel's director of sales and marketing. Outbreaks of norovirus, which causes vomiting and diarrhea, are common on cruise ships and in places like hotels, prisons and nursing homes.



Cree said hotel officials first heard reports of sick guests Wednesday morning and contacted Fairfax County health authorities. He said officials confirmed it was norovirus Thursday evening.



"Yesterday we stopped taking reservations," Cree said. "Today we're actually relocating guests, and we've relocated all of our events to other hotels."



Cree said the hotel would reopen Tuesday at noon.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

I had it two weeks before Christmas. Lasted about 16 hours and I had it coming out both ends. It happens every couple of years, and it always hits be about the same time, usually about a month after being couped up in the house with little fresh air.



It went through my whole family. It's no big deal.

 

[Mike M 6]

No substitute for good handwashing.

 

[Greg Stuhlsatz]

I wish I had it for only 16 hours. I left the toilet alone after 3 days.