Norovirus

[elaine61]

Having read another thread in this section, I came across a message regarding the dreaded norovirus!!!!!! Here in the UK it is a big thing since Aurora was big news.

 

Do they get many cases of norovirus on QM2 and how do they diagnose it (ie do they do stool tests etc)????

 

How can you tell the difference in norovirus and say for instance food poisoning or something you've eaten being a bit dodgy??

 

Elaine

[Louise D]

There was a certain amount of this virus on the QE2 recent World Cruise and at one stage I asked the head doctor to come to our cabin to discuss the situation with us, as I was actually thinking of cutting short the cruise. There were a few false reports put about amongst the passengers (and some crew) as to the high numbers of sufferers, but the doctor reassured that the gossip was untrue, and there were not many who had fallen ill, so I stayed on the cruise.

 

I questioned the doctor in detail as to the nature of the illness, and also how it was treated if a person should get sick. The doctor's description was similar to the details previously given by a sufferer on this board. I found out that it was really no more than a 24-48 hour tummy bug, and not some sort of dread disease. They do not run any tests on the sick person to confirm the disease, but only diagnose by observation.

 

But at the next port I took some precautions and bought a bottle of Dettol antiseptic which we then used to thorougly re-wipe all the surfaces in the bathroom after the stewardess had cleaned. I am going to take the Dettol again on my trip on QE2 next year because it is a little added protection.

[roscoe39]

Hey louiseD

hoping that your cruise wasnt ruined for you.....how was the world cruise....would like to find out more about the NY to LA leg if you are willing. We will be doing in in Jan 2006 and Im hoping theyll offer to let us stay on till Honolulu which they have done the last few years.

[mufi]

I think you are much more likely to contact it outside your cabin, and most probably from stairway handrails which could not be designed better to spread infections. However clean you are you can be sure that there will be pax on board who are very lax in personal hygene. I try to make a concious effort to avoid surfaces in public areas, and a few drops of tea tree oil rubbed on to hands can help to zap any nasties.

 

David.

[Oslo Dutch]

Just disembarked from QE2 in Amsterdam this morning. Had a great cruise with grand service and wonderful staff. Ship in very clean and in very good condition.

 

However the bug seem to have hit the ship and since the day before yesterday the ship is on red alert. Apparantly lots of sick people and lots of staff cleaning continuously., especially rails of staircases etc. Compulsary sanitizing your hands before entering the dining room etc etc

I hope they'll get it under control after turnaround tommorrow in Southampton.

 

Reint

[elaine61]

Must be that time of year!!!!!!

 

Oceana has had an outbreak recently too.

 

Better stock up on my anti bacterial wipes!!!!

 

Elaine

[pisces1]

Just FYI on QM2 at each buffet line they have a dispenser that provides the antiseptic-like gel to use on your hands before you handle the tray or other utensils.

[Host Caroline]

We had outbreak on Diamond Princess the first day out (some people obviously came onboard ill).. took sanitary precautions at the buffet, no salt shakers, bread etc on table in dining room etc. Antibacterial dispensers everywhere including to board ship and much scrubbing. No one in our group was sick and by Thursday we were back to semi-normal. MD onboard said people are contagious for as much as 48 hrs after symptoms start to disappear.. but the precautions were worth it.. contained the spread and that's what we all want!

[guernseyguy]

Cunard (now - didn't in the past - is this more Noro-virus or more Princess?) take Norovirus very seriously - on my recent Trans-Atlantic there was a questionnaire on boarding and a note in the cabin. In some cases (as broadcast by the BBC on a recent Aurora outbreak where the ship was denied docking in several ports) it can be down to poor personal hygiene (like not washing hands after visiting the bathroom - ???), but others is simple bad luck - lift buttons - hand rails, then dinner. I spent a month travelling round India on a train and it was drilled into us ALWAYS wash your hands before eating - and I still do. Caroline suggested some good ideas (above) for further precautions. I suspect some spread is exacerbated by passengers who decide (selfishly) to 'soldier on', rather than stay in-cabin as requested.

 

Peter

[elaine61]

The outbreak on Aurora certainly made news here. But only yesterday whilst I was out shopping I saw a lady use the lavatories in Debenhams and left without washing her hands. What are these people like???? It is just disgusting. And I'm sure there are plenty of men who do not wash their hands after going to the loo!!!!!

 

Elaine

[Host Caroline]

Cunard (now - didn't in the past - is this more Noro-virus or more Princess?) take Norovirus very seriously - on my recent Trans-Atlantic there was a questionnaire on boarding and a note in the cabin. In some cases (as broadcast by the BBC on a recent Aurora outbreak where the ship was denied docking in several ports) it can be down to poor personal hygiene (like not washing hands after visiting the bathroom - ???), but others is simple bad luck - lift buttons - hand rails, then dinner. I spent a month travelling round India on a train and it was drilled into us ALWAYS wash your hands before eating - and I still do. Caroline suggested some good ideas (above) for further precautions. I suspect some spread is exacerbated by passengers who decide (selfishly) to 'soldier on', rather than stay in-cabin as requested.

 

Peter

 

They had the questionnaire on boarding the Princess ship as well but I wonder how many people were honest about not having any GI upset symptoms during the prior 24 hours??/ I'd love to believe in the honesty of my fellow passengers but if you traveled across the continent and they asked you (the "figurative you, not "you" personally, of course......)

[elaine61]

You have the same questionairre on P & O also. I have often wondered what would happen if you had been ill and declared it at check in. Do they turn you away or do they confine you to your cabin for the first day or two?? I mean you have come into contact with so many people by then that you could have infected anyway.

 

Elaine

[Jane Pond]

>"But only yesterday whilst I was out shopping I saw a lady use the lavatories in Debenhams and left without washing her hands. What are these people like????"

 

When I use a rest room, I use a pre-packaged sanitary wipe before I leave the stall, thereby not needing to use taps and door handles that may be contaminated. Consider that the inside door handle in the stall has been touched by almost every user BEFORE they wash their hands. Then, I use the wipe if I need to use a door handle to get out of the loo. I carry small plastic baggies in which to dispose of the soiled wipes.

 

Threfore you cannot assume that I have not taken proper sanitary care of myself if I don't stop and use an often dirty sink in the ladies room.

 

Jane in PHL

[elaine61]

When I come out of the toilet and wash my hands I stand there for some time (2 or 3 people probably use the next sink to me whilst I'm washing my hands). Some don't even use soap which to me is essential. Then when I leave the lavatories and I have to negotiate the door handle I use a paper towel or piece of toilet roll. I look like I have some kind of compulsive disorder!!!!!!

 

Elaine

[Jane Pond]

Actually, in most public lavs, the soap (unless it's a special bacteriostatic soap) is immaterial. It's the friction that is important! Trust me, I am a nurse and wash my hands >50 x a day.

 

Jane in PHL

[Pincus]

There's good advice here.

 

A physician told me to wash hands often, but always before eating...and then to keep my hands off my face! That surprised me, so I took notice and watched myself -- and others! It's amazing how much time is spent with hands on face!

 

So it all comes down to doing what our Mothers told us!

[mufi]

Reading some of the above can't help thinking Howard Hughes. Only joking, I am a bit of an obsessive as well.

 

David.

[Bugeye]

Must be that time of year!!!!!!

 

Oceana has had an outbreak recently too.

 

Better stock up on my anti bacterial wipes!!!!

 

Elaine

 

Those wipes won't help you! My sister, a surgeon, said that since this is a virus and a virus is not alive until it attaches to your insides, the wipes won't help. She suggested washing your hands frequently and long enough to sing "Happy Birthday" to yourself.

 

It is a shame that the people traveling lack the personal cleanliness necessary to cut back on this virus but it is the most common virus in the world after the cold cirus. The most dangerous items on the ship are the Casino Chips and the slot machines. It seems that people get the virus on these items and they wait for you.

 

Keep your hands away from your mouth and nose, and avoid all handrails and handles. You will notice the number of people in the facilities who do not wash their hands and will know how careful you must be.

 

After 40+ cruises, I have never had the stomach troubles, but I am sure my

day will come.

 

Good Luck.

 

Karen, Cover Point, MD

[elaine61]

Bugeye

 

Well I won't waste my money on them wipes then. As I have mentioned before people come into the ladies, go to the loo and then cat lick their hands under water whilst I am still washing my hands. I'm sure people must think I'm a freak!! :eek:

 

On P & O in the buffet restaurant they have this gel that you have to put on your hands. It's amazing how many people actually refuse to do it. It's far too stringent on their delicate hands. Mine are like rhino skin so I'm OK :)

 

It is interesting though how this bug now has a name and everyone dreads it!! Years ago we just used to refer to it as a stomach bug and it laid us low for 24-48 hours and I always advise not to eat anything, but if you do begin to feel peckish have something light like breadsticks or rich tea biscuits. Something not too heavy on the stomach!!

 

Elaine

[bobby1119]

There was a certain amount of this virus on the QE2 recent World Cruise and at one stage I asked the head doctor to come to our cabin to discuss the situation with us, as I was actually thinking of cutting short the cruise. There were a few false reports put about amongst the passengers (and some crew) as to the high numbers of sufferers, but the doctor reassured that the gossip was untrue, and there were not many who had fallen ill, so I stayed on the cruise.

 

I questioned the doctor in detail as to the nature of the illness, and also how it was treated if a person should get sick. The doctor's description was similar to the details previously given by a sufferer on this board. I found out that it was really no more than a 24-48 hour tummy bug, and not some sort of dread disease. They do not run any tests on the sick person to confirm the disease, but only diagnose by observation.

 

But at the next port I took some precautions and bought a bottle of Dettol antiseptic which we then used to thorougly re-wipe all the surfaces in the bathroom after the stewardess had cleaned. I am going to take the Dettol again on my trip on QE2 next year because it is a little added protection.

 

Louise, sorry to hear about the medical situation on last year's cruise. Can you or anyone reading these boards tell me what medication was used to treat the virus? Just this morning I paid the final deposit on the 07 cruise and I aim to be fully prepared with medications. Last April while visiting the Philippines I came down with amoebic dysentery which I was able to treat using the cipro my doctor armed me with before leaving. Thanks for the information.

[lannp]

On the Westbound TA Sept. 24-30 there was some major cleaning going on mid-crossing. Several cabins were thoroughly cleaned and I know of one which was cleaned and the people weren't even ill.

The magazines were removed from the library, serving utensils in King's Court were removed and staff did all the serving, the handrails on the stairs were wet because staff were wiping them continuously and the hand-sanitizers were placed at the entrance to Britannia.

But - the hand sanitizers are not at both entrances to the buffets and if you're just coming in for a snack or coffee you can access those areas without touching the sanitizers and there are also sidedoors to the dining room which don't have the sanitizers there.

In conclusion - there are not enough sanitizers around but that doesn't mean people will use them. I personally will walk across the buffet to use it before touching anything.