Getting Sick on a Cruise

No one wants to get sick while on vacation, however, confined areas like cruise ships can be a dangerous breeding ground for germs. One illness that seems to thrive on a cruise ship is norovirus. Norovirus is a disease that is caused by any one of a group of related viruses. Noroviruses are one of the world’s leading causes of gastroenteritis, or inflammation of the intestines and stomach.

Anyone who comes into contact with noroviruses may become ill. There are no vaccines to prevent infection, and no one can build up immunity. There are no drugs available for the treatment of symptoms caused by noroviruses. People display symptoms of noroviruses quickly once they have been infected. Stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and other symptoms of norovirus illness cause more than 70,000 people to be hospitalized in the United States each year.

Cruise ships are susceptible to noroviruses for several reasons, including the close proximity of hundreds of passengers. Noroviruses are easily transmitted through bodily fluids. If someone is infected and they touch a door handle, serving utensil or other object, there is a high possibility that the next person to touch the same item will also become infected. Many cruise ships serve meals on a buffet table, which increases the odds of coming in contact with germs.

One way to prevent the spread of noroviruses is proper hygiene. Hand-washing is perhaps the single most-effective way to stay healthy. Soap and water can kill viruses before an infection begins. An alcohol-based sanitizer can be used temporarily if soap and water are unavailable. Another way to prevent norovirus is to avoid touching the areas near the eyes, mouth and nose. These two simple steps can help someone stay healthy while enjoying a cruise.

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