Stomach Flu Outbreaks - What is it?

There are outbreaks across the United States and also the world that are simply not being reported. As we watch the numbers from CDC and are told that things are getting better, flu is supposed to be respiratory. What if people who are coughing, have deep lung congestion, are throwing up with bad dysentery and hardly able to move or get out of bed have something else? What exactly is this? 

Usually mutations or changes in a "stomach flu" which isn't necessarily Norovirus can come to us via cruise ship. This is what happened in the now famous outbreaks on some coming from Sidney, Australia.

What is this all about?

http://leadercall.com/2016/05/norovirus-sickens-159-aboard-cruise-ship-docked-in-va/

Health officials are reporting an outbreak of norovirus aboard the cruise ship Balmoral, docked at Norfolk's Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center.

A score of 85 might not seem bad on a high school exam, but when it comes to inspections done by the CDC on issues that could affect your health, 85 is considered failing. The 34-night "Old England to New England" cruise will be continuing to NY on Sunday.

http://www.campustimes.org/2016/04/15/norovirus-evades-public-safety/

As I am sure the majority of you have heard by now, the notorious and nefarious Norovirus has invaded the River Campus this week. Symptoms of this virus include fatigue, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, vomiting, and being a real party pooper. This news threw me for a loop. These seem like a normal afternoon’s worth of obstacles for a UR student.

http://www.theglobaldispatch.com/cdc-to-assess-possible-norovirus-outbreak-on-holland-america-lines-ms-maasdam-49235/

In a follow-up to a story 10 days ago, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) will be investigating a gastrointestinal outbreak on board Holland America Line’s MS Maasdam upon its arrival into Ft. Lauderdale today.

http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2016/apr/06/osu-working-to-contain-possible-norovirus-outbreak/

CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State University officials say they are taking steps to contain a possible norovirus outbreak after up to 60 students fell ill with symptoms.

The Gazette-Times reported that test results are not yet available to confirm an outbreak, but officials say the nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and fever symptoms are consistent with norovirus.

Bill Emminger from the county environmental health division says the illness does not appear to be connected with any particular location or food-service facility on campus. Most of the students affected have been residents of the dorms.

comment: many others I have talked to report not only a cough with this, but bad headaches, and an over all "I feel awful."  Some have had it for weeks, especially the elderly and those with other medical issues. Some have been hospitalized. 

What happens exactly if a new flu strain or mutation comes to us that isn't classic h1n1 or those that are tested for - one that are not covered by the vaccine and there really is not treatment for?



Medclinician