Norovirus hits 5 Santa Rosa facilities

[rubysoho120]

<h2>Oh god how I hate the newspaper

</h2>
<h2>

</h2>
<h2>Norovirus hits 5 Santa Rosa facilities</h2>

<h3>More than 100 stricken with illness that threatens elderly</h3>






By BOB NORBERG
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT












Norovirus, a gastrointestinal illness, has surfaced at five Santa Rosa
long-term care facilities, the second outbreak of the illness this
year, according to the Sonoma County Public Health Department.





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In the past 10 days, 102 patients and staff members have come
down with symptoms of the virus, which include vomiting and diarrhea.
Eight have been tested, and the results have come back positive.



Dr.
Leigh Hall, deputy public health officer, said the facilities are
taking the usual precautions by doing extra cleaning, limiting visitors
and suspending communal activities.



The last case was reported Thursday. If there are no more cases by Monday, Hall said the outbreak will be considered to be over.



"If
this is the end, that is good, because it is limited to those five
facilities," Hall said Friday. "We are hoping that we have gotten on
top of it."



The names of the facilities are being withheld by the county until the outbreak is over.



People
infected with the fast-spreading norovirus usually get nauseous and are
feverish within 24 hours, and the illness typically runs its course
within 48 hours. It is a danger only for the elderly.



There was
an outbreak that lasted four months in spring, with 588 people becoming
infected at 16 Sonoma County facilities. It also was listed as a
possible contributing cause in the death of a 91-year-old woman.



Four of the five facilities involved in this outbreak were hit in the earlier outbreak.



Hall
said officials are looking into the cases of three elderly people who
have died at the infected facilities to see if norovirus played a part.
All three people had severe health problems, Hall said.

[lianaismadchill]

ughh. That is just wonderful=/ It seems liek everybody is getting some sort of illness.

[jodi054]

these things do happen.. try not to worry thou as its an all year round thing and we only hear about it when there's a big outbreak

[rubysoho120]

It just makes me mad that they print this and then even tell you where it is so you can avoid going there!

[calibmom24]

Yuck! I hate seeing stuff like that! Makes me nervous!!

[sheri-baby]

i'm sorry if this sounds rude...but what's your point in posting this?

[new.slang]

I think it helps to be informed. Also, it was something making her worried so she shared it with us because she was upset. Anyway-you'll probably be fine, I mean, elderly people catch thing so easy because they are weak. You are healthy and young so I wouldn't worry too much. [img]smileys/smilies_01.gif[/img]

[sheri-baby]

okay....didn't really think about it that way...i'm just being selfish, because i would think twice before posting an entire article like that just knowing the anxiety i would cause....but i realize everyone vents in their own way.....

[missminty]

I think ruby was just sharing her anxieties which is kinda what this board is for. Also the post title kind of gave a hint of what the post was going to contain, I really don't think she intended to freak anyone out.

[rubysoho120]

I didnt want to freak anyone out at all...I just hate how they always
put these in the newspaper, but yet its not helpful, like I said it
wont tell where it is happening in my town, so what if it was at a
hospital and you were going into labor soon...how do you avoid that if
they dont inform you. It just makes me anxious knowing that it is so
rampid.

[tink]

It states that they are at long term care facilities, which are usually old age care homes or possibly medical facilities which house peole recovering from injuries or sickness. When outbreaks happen, they quarintine the facility. So I wouldnt worry about it to much.

--Kim

[xxsophiaxx]

ick that sux... don't worry about it though, you're young, and it's not like you live there

[kellybean]

I don't get why they post things like that in the paper either. I guess it to tell people to be more careful. Places like that are very good are quarentining the virus and stopping it pretty quick. Don't worry too much.

[xxsophiaxx]

I actually think its a good idea that they post things like that in the paper. It lets us know to avoid those places.