Norovirus Infiltrates Illinois Nursing Homes

norovirus.jpgThe Chicago Tribune recently reported that 129 nursing home patients have been diagnosed with norovirus at three un-named nursing homes in McHenry County.

As authorities from the Illinois Department of Health investigate this norovirus outbreak, six patients have already been hospitalized for this illness.

Norovirus is an illnesses that include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. Some cases are also associated with low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and a general sense of tiredness.

The spread of norovirus can usually be stopped with good sanitation practices such as hand washing and disinfecting surfaces.

The elderly and young are particularly susceptible to complications related to norovirus and can easily become dehydrated when the symptoms are not identified and timely treated.

For more information about Illinois nursing homes look here.

For laws related to Illinois nursing homes, look here.

Related:

CDC: Norovirus Q & A

Food Safety

Elderly Nursing Home Patients Are Particularly Susceptible To Illness Related To Contaminated Food

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2 responses to “Norovirus Infiltrates Illinois Nursing Homes”

  1. Jane Doe says:

    Why aren’t these places named? They need to be so people are aware of these situations. I worked in the Assisted Living field for over 10 years and have seen Norovirus, CDIFF, Scabies, MRSA and other infectious contagious diseases appear and not much done putting a lot of other residents at risk.
    Residents not isoloted, eating together in dining room; sitting in common areas. Let’s publish the names of these places and have the media get involved in bringing these issues to light. Thank heavens for this blog. If you have a loved one and are considering any kind of residential senior housing, bookmark this page. If you already have a loved one living in Assisted Living (especially) or a SNF pay attention and check this page often.

  2. Nancy Brown says:

    As an AIN I have seen how some residents are so at risk because of carers and lack of washing of hands. Its so important when working with aged care residents to be very carefully with all hygiene – its a basic right that residents should be kept safe. So I am not surprised that Nursing Homes are being infected with Norovirus. This nursing homes should be shut down, and never allowed to open again….the Nororvirus is so strong and dangerous that it could easily kill the aged people.

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