Hand-washing best prevention for intestinal distress

Tis the season for … food borne illnesses. County health officials say that the dozens of customers of Buca de Beppo and Marie Callendars in Valencia were sickened by the same norovirus that strikes during the holidays when people gather for pot luck dinners and family events.

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Neither restaurant was closed by the health department and both took the necessary steps to maintain their “A” ratings. The customers’ illness was likely caused by a worker who did not wash his hands after using the restroom.  But Dr. Laurene Mascola of the Acute Communicable Disease Program said that food service workers or holiday hosts who don’t stay out of the kitchen when they’re sick are just as dangerous.

She advised that everyone should wash their hands after using the bathroom or touching inanimate objects so they don’t spread the virus. Make sure to rinse fruits and vegetables and disinfect cooking surfaces to avoid cross-contamination.

And if the stomach bug hits, there’s nothing you can do about it, since viruses don’t respond to antibiotics. Just take it easy, stay home and catch up on all your TIVO or reading until you feel completely recovered.