No one wants to get sick while on vacation, however, confined areas like cruise ships can be a dangerous breeding ground for germs.
Contracted Norovirus or Gastroenteritis Aboard A Cruise Ship?
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.
Got Sick While On A Cruise? Perhaps The Norovirus Was To Blame.
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.
How To Protect Against Norovirus And Other Germs While On Your Cruise?
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 simple steps can help someone stay healthy while enjoying a cruise.
If you feel as though your sickness may have been prevented and a negligent cleaning crew or other combination of events occurred while you were on your cruise, you might be eligible for some kind of compensation from the cruise line.
About Waks & Barnett, P.A.
Based in Miami, Waks & Barnett attorneys work with clients in Florida, throughout the United States and around the world. The firm’s attorneys practice in the areas of personal injury and wrongful death, with a specialization in admiralty and maritime cases.