In May, an elementary school in Draßburg was closed due to a risk of norovirus infection. Several days ago, several cases were detected in a nursing home in Dresden. The two buildings were initially quarantined, then disinfection was carried out. Doctors assume that this is norovirus. Highly contagious and particularly dangerous for small children, people with chronic illnesses and the elderly, noroviruses are unfortunately widespread in the summer. The months of May, June, July and August are considered high season. But you can effectively protect yourself from it.
How are they transmitted?
Noroviruses are most often transmitted through direct contact, where the already infected person can transmit the virus either through drops while speaking and coughing or with dirty hands when shaking hands. Dirty door handles, keyboards, money, cell phones – all everyday objects can transmit the viruses. They can also transmit fruit and vegetables that have not been washed. Those affected arefrom the first symptomsand contagious up to two weeks after illness. The disease can be recognized by the symptoms: The patientssuffer from vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever.
Noroviruses in summer: preventive measures
In order to protect yourself from noroviruses in summer, hygiene is particularly important. Wash your hands thoroughly before every meal and after every use of the toilet. Make sure that you always wash your hands with soap under running water for at least thirty seconds. The children can slowly sing “Happy Birthday” twice while you wash their hands – this takes around thirty seconds. Also, wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before preparing salads.
There is currently no vaccination that protects against all noroviruses. Nevertheless, some time ago scientists from Canada reported that they had isolated a general-purpose antibody that could protect people long-termprotect against many norovirus infectionscould. Scientists are not yet ready to produce a vaccine, but they believe it could happen in the coming years.
