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<p align="center"><b><font face="Verdana" size="5" color="#0000FF">Health
Matters</font></b></p>
<p align="center"><b><font face="Verdana" size="4">Norwalk Virus</font></b></p>
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<font face="Verdana" size="2">Norwalk virus, Norwalk-like viruses (NLV) or
noroviruses area group of viruses (germs) that cause diarrheal illnesses.
These viruses are named after the original strain that cause an outbreak in
Norwalk, Ohio. They are also sometimes referred to as small, round-structured
viruses (SRSV) or caliciviruses.</font></p>
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<font face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt">The Massachusetts
Department of Public Health reports that the symptoms of NLV infection include
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Other symptoms can include
headache, fever, and chills, and muscle aches. These symptoms usually begin 1-2
days after exposure to the virus and will last about 1-2 days in most people,
with no long-term effects.</span></font></p>
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<font face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt">NLV must be swallowed to
cause infection. NLV are then passed in the stool and vomit of infected people
from the day they start to feel ill up to as long as 2-3 weeks after they feel
better. NLV are usually spread by eating or drinking contaminated food or
drinks or by close contact with an infected person. Foods can become
contaminated by infected foodworkers. Some foods, like oysters and berries, can
be contaminated with NLV before being delivered to a restaurant or store if they
come in contact with contaminated water.</span></font></p>
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<font face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt">NLV are believed to be one
of the most common causes of foodborne illness in the United States. Since it
is difficult to test for NVL in the laboratory, it is hard to say how many
people get infected by NLV in Massachusetts. </span></font></p>
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<font face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt"> </span></font></p>
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<font face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt">Anyone can get infected
with NLV but older children and adults are more likely to get more severe
symptoms. Also, since there are many strains of these viruses, people can get
sick from them many times during their life.</span></font></p>
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<font face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt">NLV is difficult to detect
in a laboratory, but it can be found by testing stool or vomit from an infected
person. Only a few laboratories are able to perform this test so it is only
done under special circumstances. Usually, health care providers will first try
to rule out other germs that may have caused the illness, then base their
diagnosis on symptoms and how long they last.</span></font></p>
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<font face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt">There is no specific
treatment for NLV infection, NLV cannot be treated with antibiotics and people
usually get better without medical attention in 1-2 days. There is a risk for
dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea so it is important to drink plenty of
fluids. If symptoms persist or worsen, contact your health care provider.</span></font></p>
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<font face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt">What can you do to prevent
NLV infection</span></font></p>
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<font face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt">Follow the tips below; if
you make them your habits, you can prevent infection by NLV�as well as other
diseases:</span></font></p>
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<font face="Verdana"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt"> </span></font></p>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt">Always wash your hands thoroughly with soap
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt">Make sure all food preparation areas are clean
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt">When traveling to an area that might have
contaminated water, drink bottled, preferably carbonated beverages and do not
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt">After episodes of vomiting or diarrhea, clean
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt">If you or your child has persistent diarrhea
(with or without a fever), or the diarrhea is very bad, call your health care
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<p style="margin:1 5; ">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; font-family: Verdana">Because NLV can easily be
spread to other people, health care providers are required by law to report
cases of NLV to the local board of health. In order to protect the public,
workers at food-related business who have NLV must stay out of work for 72 hours
after their symptoms have stopped. In NLV outbreaks at food-related businesses,
food handling employees will be required to provide stool specimens for
testing. This law also applies to workers in schools, residential programs,
day-care facilities who feed, give mouth care or dispense medications to clients
or patients.</span></p>
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