Cruise ship illness, cruise ship health!

Happy cruising! Protect yourself from cruise ship illness during your wonderful cruise vacation.

Healthy cruising tips by USA Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP):

1) Wash your hands frequently!

* Wash your hands often to avoid exposing yourself and others to anything that may cause illnesses and spread germs:

> Especially before eating or smoking, and after using the toilet.

2) If you are sick, report your illness.

* Before your voyage, ask cruise line:

> if there are alternative cruising options i.e., voyage dates, credits, etc.

> or, consult a doctor to find out whether it is safe for you to sail.

* During your voyage, visit the ship's medical facility and follow the medical staff's recommendations.

3) Avoid eating and drinking anything that you think will make you sick.

* Look for inspection scores and general food service cleanliness to help you to decide where and what to eat.

There are three most well-known widespread diseases onboard cruise ship populations are Influenza, Legionnaires' disease and Noroviruses:

1. Influenza:

* Influenza infection among travelers is the most common cruise ship illness.

* It is the most popular vaccine-preventable travelers' disease:

> Cruise goers are encourage to have annual influenza vaccination, it is the primary method for preventing influenza and its complications.

* This cruise ship illness can cause disease in all age groups:

> Rates of infection are highest among infants, children, and adolescents.

> Serious illness and death are highest among persons over 65 years of age.

> Persons of any age who have medical conditions that place them at high risk for complications from influenza (e.g., chronic cardiopulmonary disease).

* The risk for exposure to influenza depends on the time of year and destination:

> In Europe, seasonal epidemics of influenza generally occur during the winter months.

> In tropical, influenza can occur throughout the year.

> However, passengers on board can be exposed to influenza anytime; there always will be travelers from areas of the world where influenza viruses are circulating.

2. Legionnaires' disease

* Legionnaires' disease has led to pneumonia outbreaks on cruise ships.

* Contamination of ships' whirlpool spas and potable water supply systems have most commonly been implicated sources of this cruise ship illness.

* Passengers typically develop symptoms upon completion of travel only, resulting in delayed detection and continuous transmission.

* Cruise travel typically involves stays in hotels as well as multiple environmental exposures during ports of call, it is usually difficult to link a cruise ship with infection.

3. Norovirus

* The norovirus was originally called the Norwalk Virus.

* Norovirus is often termed the "cruise ship virus":

> Even thought the vast majority occur on land.

* Norovirus is an extremely common and highly contagious virus which causes gastroenteritis:

> An inflammation of the stomach and the intestines.

* The incubation period for norovirus-associated gastroenteritis is usually between 24 and 48 hours, but cases can occur within 12 hours of exposure.

* Symptoms of norovirus include nausea, vomiting and watery diarrhea.

* Some people may also experience headache, mild fever and abdominal cramps:

> It is sometimes known as the "24-hour stomach bug."

> Vomiting is more common in children.

* Symptoms generally last between one and three days (24 to 60 hours):

> Medical attention is required especially among the young and elderly.

> Usually resolve without treatment or long-term consequences.

> Recovery is usually complete and there is no evidence of any serious long-term effect.

Visit http://www.smart-guide-to-world-cruise-ship.com/cruise-ship-illness.html to learn more about cruise ship illness norovirus and read good quality information about cruise ship illness and cruise ship health.