There are times when the best laid plans go to awry. In keeping on my viral theme for the month I
had planned to talk about a Norovirus outbreak in a pediatric unit that was
caused by healthcare workers. I know I
read the study, but my recall abilities seem to have gone into early
hibernation. Was it late spring, summer
or early fall? I know I was on a
plane..... Regardless, it was a great
example of "inconvenience and irritation" from last week's blog
"The Burden of You and the Flu".
It was also the first time that Google let me down...at
least in finding the study I was looking for.
My Google search however, did pop up the Micro Blog which is written by
Jon Otter (@jonotter) and Saber Yezli from the UK. If you're a Infection Prevention nut like me,
follow it. Touted as "Your window
to the world of healthcare microbiology and epidemiology" - Otter and Yezli post some great blogs.
least in finding the study I was looking for.
My Google search however, did pop up the Micro Blog which is written by
Jon Otter (@jonotter) and Saber Yezli from the UK. If you're a Infection Prevention nut like me,
follow it. Touted as "Your window
to the world of healthcare microbiology and epidemiology" - Otter and Yezli post some great blogs.
It was the "Domestic Outbreak of Gastroenteritis" that had me chuckling, not at Otter's misfortunes mind
you, but because almost a year ago last night, I lived through the same
thing. Here's the summary of Otter's
outbreak:
you, but because almost a year ago last night, I lived through the same
thing. Here's the summary of Otter's
outbreak:
"Last Wednesday (let’s call it outbreak day 1), our
18-month old toddler “sprayed” projective vomit around our porch. My wife
cleaned up the mess. On outbreak day 3, 36 hours later, my wife presented
(grumpily) with acute gastroenteritis. We made every effort to limit domestic
horizontal transmission (including regular bleach disinfection of contact
surfaces in the bathroom and cohorting of personal effects) but to no avail; a
little over 24 hours later on outbreak day 4, I endured acute
gastroenteritis."
18-month old toddler “sprayed” projective vomit around our porch. My wife
cleaned up the mess. On outbreak day 3, 36 hours later, my wife presented
(grumpily) with acute gastroenteritis. We made every effort to limit domestic
horizontal transmission (including regular bleach disinfection of contact
surfaces in the bathroom and cohorting of personal effects) but to no avail; a
little over 24 hours later on outbreak day 4, I endured acute
gastroenteritis."
In the 2012 Kenny Outbreak, our then 3.5yr old projectile
vomited over his bed, the carpet in his room and ME in the wee hours of a
Friday. By Sunday, both my husband and I
were inflicted with the same thing (thankfully we have 3 bathrooms). Our cohorting consisted of taking turns in
parental duty by lying on the couch in the family room to ensure Sawyer was
somewhat safe or sprawling on our bed. I
have never been so happy for the invention of TV, DVDs and pre-packaged food!
vomited over his bed, the carpet in his room and ME in the wee hours of a
Friday. By Sunday, both my husband and I
were inflicted with the same thing (thankfully we have 3 bathrooms). Our cohorting consisted of taking turns in
parental duty by lying on the couch in the family room to ensure Sawyer was
somewhat safe or sprawling on our bed. I
have never been so happy for the invention of TV, DVDs and pre-packaged food!
The truth is, Norovirus happens. It is irritating. It is an impediment and it is certainly an
inconvenience! It happens everywhere and
especially when you least expect it! As
Otter detailed in an earlier blog about a Norovirus outbreak that was associated with a Car Dealership where the generous mother left the mess for
the staff to clean up using nothing more than dry paper towels, you just never
know when or how you may pick up your next gastro bug! I need to get my car in for servicing...I can
assure you I will never use a car dealership's washroom again!
inconvenience! It happens everywhere and
especially when you least expect it! As
Otter detailed in an earlier blog about a Norovirus outbreak that was associated with a Car Dealership where the generous mother left the mess for
the staff to clean up using nothing more than dry paper towels, you just never
know when or how you may pick up your next gastro bug! I need to get my car in for servicing...I can
assure you I will never use a car dealership's washroom again!
Bugging Off!
Nicole
PS - after using a "Life Line" and emailing a
friend I now have the title of the study
I was looking for in the first place, An Outbreak of Norovirus Infection in a Bone Transplant Unit. Better late than
never I suppose - I hope you take the time to read it!
friend I now have the title of the study
I was looking for in the first place, An Outbreak of Norovirus Infection in a Bone Transplant Unit. Better late than
never I suppose - I hope you take the time to read it!
