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| November 3 | |
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Norwalk Virus |
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If the coach says play, no matter what, think again. Your child may catch something other than the ball ... a new study shows that it’s a good idea to sideline kids when they’re sick. The study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, showed that a football team, infected with a stomach virus, passed on that virus to another team during the game. Using high tech methods, researchers found that more than half of a North Carolina football team became infected with the Norwalk virus from box lunches the day before the game. The lunches may have been contaminated by a food handler that carried the virus, or cross-contaminated by raw shellfish which had been rinsed in the same sink later used to separate the lettuce used in the sandwiches. Eleven more North Carolina team members came down with the virus, as well as eleven of the opposing Florida team members. The teams had not shared any food or had contact previous to the game. The researchers concluded that the virus crossed the scrimmage line through person-to person contact—sick players were ill throughout the game, exposing others to their soiled uniforms and to the ball that was handled with the players’ bare hands. The researchers’ recommend that players with active symptoms of a stomach virus sit out the game. And it underscores the importance of hand washing, especially during this flu and cold season. |
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It also seems that the virus could have been avoided if the food handler had been “sidelined”. Absolutely. Anyone with active vomiting or diarrhea should stay home until their symptoms resolve. Also, always clean your food preparation area, especially after you’ve prepared raw chicken or shellfish. | |
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Resources and References:
Transmission of Norwalk Virus during a Football Game
Norwalk Virus Infection |
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