Try MMS on line - also garlic and vitamin C are anti-viral on contact, also good colon, blood and liver cleansing and a highly raw food veg and fruit alkaline diet. Clean the lymph.

Lou, California USA

Louis Gross, Los Angeles, California

"Your partner? Why can't you say husband or wife? "

Because the details of her relationship are none of your business? Because her sexuality, the gender of her partner, their marital status etc etc are not remotely relevant to this discussion so she presumably didn't see any need to describe them?

As for the actual topic, I can't help but think this panic-reporting is getting a bit silly. While I can understand that the virus could be dangerous to the old or very ill, for example in hospitals, the rest of us need to keep it in proportion. If you practise basic good hygiene you probably won't catch it, and even if you do, it's unlikely to do you any real harm. Remember a 'bug' like this goes around every winter, and we seem to survive.

Ephiny, London, UK

I would like to share some verses I wrote on the Norovirus back when it was still the Norwalk Virus:
Beware the wicked Norwalk virus, scourge
that lurks in lavatories, demon-germ
that leaps from dirty hands to mouth. It stirs
the belly fires and starts eruptions. Be
aware that washing hands can save your gut.

Colleen Bryant, Cambridge, Massachusetts

I was in the National Gallery yesterday and used the toilets. A scruffy, dodgy-looking old man in there washed his hands after having a pee! I was so pleased to see my prejudices blown out of the water! While drying his hands on the pull-towel machine, he leaned forward and loudly blew his nose into it... ah well...

Adam, London,

Most of the nasty "projectile vomiting" seems to be in the comments!

Bob Doney, Camberley,

Some of these comments are utterly appalling and offensive to so many in UK. Get real, wash hands regularly and check out this website
http://www.waterandhealth.org/newsletter/new/feb-1998/right.html

Nick C, Canterbury,

If Web 2.0 is the capability to allow users to contribute to online content, then I look forward to Web 2.5, when all the totally inane, stupid comments added to this article about what partner means would not be passed on to bore the rest of us with an indication of petty, narrow worldviews.

For your edification, partner is a neutral word used throughout Europe to indicate a domestic relationship not formalised by marriage; there are other statuses in use as well. No, these are not found in the Bible. So what!

Why this would be relevant in a thread discussion concerning the norovirus only points to the juvenile occupations of the right-wing, conservative and obviously intolerant readers who can't keep their thought sOUT of other peoples' bedrooms.

Good lord, in this day and age...Jesus wept.

Jay, London, UK

To Bruce Josloff

From a native of a country that has exported some of the worst and unhealthiest food in the world - you might not be in any position to comment on our cuisine.

Jules, Cheshire,

The problem is that parents no longer allow their children to play in the mud, eat sand, hurt themselves, suck the mud off stones (yes I did all of those) and so the youth of this world no longer have strong immune systems. If I drop a crisp on the floor, I will eat it. I have not been ill since I was 10 years old. The problem is everything nowadays is TOO clean and soon we may see the return of bugs unseen for hundreds of years just because parents wont let children be children so their immune systems are going to be weak.

Too much of anything is a bad thing, that includes cleanliness, our immune systems, like our muscles, need to work out to stay strong.

Graeme, Colombia,

I think preparation for the End Times has finally--unfortunately--arrived.

halldg, bham,

I cannot believe that someone would think that norovirus is in Britain now because of 'unhygenic' immigrants. Iam not an immigrant, but I do not think it is right to say that. If you must know, there are almost as much unhygenic English people in England. Immigrants have contributed to the develompent of Britain and I think that they should be appreciated. Britain is a normal place on earth just like any other country is and can be hit by this virus at anytime.

Monica U, London

Monica Uwakwe, London, England

This virus is not spreading because of immigrants, or just because British people don't wash their hands after going to the loo! Although, obviously, the world over, some people don't.

The norovirus lives on where it lands. So, when one of my 3 children had it, and was sick in her bed, I washed the duvet cover and pillow cases, the duvet and pillow, the bed frame, the walls surrounding the bed, her pyjamas, and her and me. Undoubtedly, microscopic spray hit places i didn't clean. In order to spread this amongst the rest of us, all that was needed was for me to touch one of those areas the next day, then say my computer keyboard or a light switch, followed by someone else touching the same thing then putting their hand to their mouth. We all wash our hands regularly throughout the day, and no-one else became ill. but if they had it would have been bad luck, not bad hygene.

Recognising that people might assume you have a same sex partner is not homophobic. caring may be.

julia, nott's,

There seems to be a different concept in the USA to the UK about what hospitals can do for you. Maybe that tells us something about the quality of NHS health care?

Personally, I fully agree with Linda Graham. Why are modern bugs all supposed to be so very different to what we've put up with for years? Does nobody have any natural resilience any more?

chris, Bristol,

Umm, so homophobic comments aside, is it too difficult for people to wash their hands after they make doody?

I've noticed that these articles just refer, in vague terms, to proper hygiene helping to stop the spread of the disease. Clearly, given the epidemic proportion of the disease, people in the UK have forgotten some of these basics preventative measures and need a refresher course.

Perhaps every article mentioning the disease should also instruct individuals on how to stop the spread. Of course, this assumes that the press has any interest in helping stop human misery, instead of simply reaping the profits that come with reporting it.

Scott, San Francisco, CA

I am from New York. You are having the same problems over there I see...."partners" and all that garbage............what is this world coming to??? :(

DisgustedinNY, New City, New York

I'm trying to figure out why their sexuality is any concern of yours or even realted to the epidemic, which is what the article is about.

Steve, Indy, IN, USA

re 'partner': It is up to Jenny James to describe her relationship, isn't it? She is the person to choose whether to say 'partner', 'husband' or 'wife', and its not up to anyone else. The real question is, why do some people insist on using 'husband' or 'wife', and try to impose that on others? I and many others don't use these terms because of the negative baggage associated with them (eg certain expectations for men and women, and the defence of an unjust power relationship). I respect people's right to use them, but Mark Kuhlman's comment is a perfect example of how there is so often an unacknowledged subtext. But maybe we should be talking about the norovirus...

Nick, Leicester, England

How is it passed? waterbourne, air, food? skin? There must
be a public health way to contain it as well as isolating
those who have it.

Public health has been around in Britain for over 150 years.
What's going on with the health officials that they do
not contain it?

Ann Mere, Los Angeles, USA

i dont know why all these people being pedantic about jenny james' post. it is perfectly common and acceptable to call your boyfriend/girlfriend your partner. it does not mean she is a lesbian (she has 3 kids!) it usually just means she's in a long term relationship with someone, and they arent married. so stop being childish. i agree with the top post, if you get sick with the norovirus, you shouldn't go to the hospital, although elderly people may need the care the hospital can provide because they are more likely to become seriously ill due to the virus than younger people.

Holly, London,

The partner may not be a husband or wife - they may not be married. Boyfriend/girlfriend sounds a little innocuous for those over, say 25, and this lady is a grandparent - she might be in her seventies - where 'my fella' sounds a bit strange! My partner refers to me (generally!) as his 'missus', which I quite like, but I know other women who would take offence at this. I am too old to have a 'boyfriend' (and he's too old to be one - manfriend maybe???) so i also use the term 'partner', knowing full well that some people think he must also be a woman. Particularly as, as a divorcee, i often use the title 'Ms'!
Anyway, he is my partner. We are a team of two...a partnership.
But I do struggle with the best terminology to use, so any advice is always gratefully received.

julia, nott's,

Stay at home, keep warm, but ventilate the room, sip small amounts of cooled boiled water ,do not try to eat, it is of more inportance to stay hydrated, do as little as possible so as to conserve energy and give your body chance to recover, it is also very important to have good hygiene, wash your hands thoroughly when using the bathroom or after vomiting . When looking after small infants or the elderly, observe all the following above, if in doubt ring your health line for advice especially for infants and the elderly as they can dehydrate rapidly.

Gillian, Preston, England

Healthy, middle-aged individuals accounted for the majority of the deaths during the flu from the early 1900s. The middle-aged must have thought that they could tough it out. If you can't keep food and water down, go to the hospital.

N, Dallas, USA

Whoever is insisting that the hospitals can't help people with viruses is an (are) idiot(s)!! If you've ever been so sick that you can't eat, drink or do anything except vomit and have diarrhea, you need to be in a hospital unless there is some one at home to care for you. (And has anyone ever heard of the influenza virus which nails you like that?) I have been that ill and if I had not gone to the hospital ER, I would have died - I was extremely dehydrated and couldn't care for myself. I needed to be on IVs and given medication for the fever and extreme diarrhea (lomidil!!!). I have no doubt that left alone I would have died.

Delaney, Chandler, AZ/USA

I had this and it's the first time I've been sick in 40 years. I forgot to put a zinc lozenge in my mouth before going shopping (I've been faithful in doing this for years). You need zinc with a flavor - it coats your esophagus and keeps the virus from penetrating. Also wash your hands and keep your hands away from your face. Keep a tissue with you when out in public so you are not tempted to rub your eyes or nose.

I drank a lot of Gatorade once I quit vomiting...don't know why but it did help. Good luck - it's been going around San Francisco but not as much as the UK.......

Ellie, SF, USA

Re Norovirus on cruise ships, a vet friend of mine says,

‘Look at the customer base. Mostly well-heeled older folk who’re not as fit as they once were. So before going on holiday it’s likely that many will have been to hospitals for outpatient treatment – which is where they catch Norovirus and start spreading it to others.’

He next emphasised the prevalence of Norovirus in holiday hotels, on bus tours and in nursing homes, where not only are old people resident but they also receive older visitors – in the main.

‘So, despite the best efforts of cruise companies etc. to keep Norovirus away, they’ll always be struggling due to the types of clients they attract.’

However, in fairness to hospitals, old folk can also catch Noro from their grandkids. The virus is pretty rife in schools. Whereas keeping it down simply involves basic hygiene: soap and warm water – often!

Helen Bradshaw, Sheffield, UK

Learn form the cruise ships that respect USPH inspections. They have the knowledge to handle Noro Virus in confined spaces.

Pierre B Camilleri
Europe

Pierre B. Camilleri, St Julians, Malta

the hospital stay is for the dehydration.

jamie, St. Joseph, USA

I'm getting a little tired of The Times using sensationalist headlines. Read the first line and the last line of this report. Headline states Novovirus reaches epidemic levels!!!!!!!!! Last line: However, the number of reports would have to increase dramatically for an epidemic to be declared. Excellent reporting

jackboy, london,

Has it occured to anyone that the root of all this is the dreadful English cuisine?

Bruce Josloff, San Francisco, USA

I very surprised this has not spread accross The Pond. I have never heard of Norovirus. It sonds rather like the Flu.
Alex, New york

Alex Pagan, New City, New York, USA

It's the 28 days later sickness, I tell you.

Gareth, San Diego, California

This use of the word "partner" is pretty strange. Have "husband," "wife," "boyfriend," and "girlfriend" been outlawed in Britain by the PC Police? How do we know if you're not referring to your business partner? What exactly is wrong with identifying gender?

Mike, Los Angeles, California

Has anyone given any thought to the role of supermarket trolleys in this epidemic? The handles provide an ideal transfer point.Wear gloves at the supermarket!

david b, mimizan, france

Dave,as the article says, the virus can be deady for the vunerable, the effects of dehydration can be difficult to deal with at home particulaly with noone else caring for you. The people in hospital clearly cannot deal with the side effects of the virus, which is what hospitals are for right? Caring for you when you can't do it yourself?

Cait, Canterbury, Kent

uk has better quality of living then US?
presumed consent???

george, boston, MA

I was wondering if any research has been made into the reservoir of this virus. The fact that it occurs in Great Britain in a predictable manner, but has never appeared to the best of my knowledge in the United States should make finding the natural reservoir easier to find. Once found, eliminating that vector should terminate the annual run of the virus.

Eugene Kriegsmann, Bonney Lake , WA., USA

Has anybody looked to see if there is a link between the installation of the horrible hot air hand dryer in all lavatories outside the home and the rise in the incidence of the virus? Its not washing hands that is the problem its drying them

Jane Knight, Didcot, UK

Anybody check on a biological test attack?

James, Montgomery,

I cannot believe what weak wimps people in our society are becoming today ! This illness is what we always called "gastric flu". You go to bed, just take water to drink, some paracetamols and generally lie low for about 48 hrs. Thats all there is to it. Theres too much analyses of what so- called professionals say today- -- a little learning - -etc. The future looks worrying for future generations. God help them

Linda Graham, Winchelsea Beach, England

It's a VIRUS! There's NOTHING a hospital can do for you except maybe give you some feeling of comfort.

Talk about runaway health costs...no wonder
************************************************************
There IS a GREAT deal a hospital can do besides palliative care. While a virus cannot be cured, the symptoms can be treated. An IV can provide life saving hydration. Doctors can prescribe far more powerful medicines to counter nausea and diarrhea than one can get OTC. If the sufferer is a child or elderly, getting to a hospital can be the difference between life and death. That is health care worth paying for.

MJ, Wellesley , MA, USA

I had this and I briefly considered going to the hospital too. I was so dehydrated that I couldn't walk. Couldn't even take down a sip of liquid.

All I was thinking was that if I were an older person, it would have been life threatening.

Jess, Chicago, USA/IL

What the hell are these people doing in "wards" anyway?!

It's a VIRUS! There's NOTHING a hospital can do for you except maybe give you some feeling of comfort.

Talk about runaway health costs...no wonder.

STAY AT HOME until the virus passes.

Dave S., Parker, CO, USA

My mother was recently in Bath Royal United Hospital. Whilst there a lady came on to her ward and within a couple of hours she was being ill with the virus.Some people on the ward were sent home the five remaining patients on the ward were then sent to other wards.Surely these patients should have been kept in isolation! On the new ward yet another patient went down with the bug.The ward and beds were disinfected but those patients who were on their beds, even those, who could have sat in a chair, didn't have their beds or areas cleaned. Is there any wonder this virus is having such a hold in hospitals.

Angela, Keynsham, N. E. Somerset

How was that on topic, Tex?

Dave, Albequerque, NM

The overpopulation of our country must make it easier for viruses such as norovirus to spread.

andrew, swindon, uk

Perhaps she is talking about her work partner. I agree it is an ambiguous term

Jeff, London,

Good post Mark Kulman from McKinney, Tx.

Jerry Scroggin, Phoenix, Arizona/USA

Perhaps they aren't married?? Perhaps they are same sex??

Pu Li, Guangxi, China

Your partner? Why can't you say husband or wife? Or does that not qualify?

Mark Kuhlman, McKinney, TX

Myself my partner and 2 out of three of my kids had it plus my granson had it in and around 11 th of dec 2007

Jenny James, littlehampton, west sussex