February 4 of this year was a momentous day for numismatists as the Canadian Mint officially stopped distribution of the one-cent coin, the penny. While the reaction from Canadians was mixed, there was a general consensus that the loss was still a sad end to a 105-year era. The moment was also a sombre day for those striving to improve public health.

The norovirus infection is short, lasting only 48 to 72 hours but during that time, one might believe they have been put into one of Ridley Scott's Alien movies. But there are thankfully a few ways to thwart this perfect villain.

Just as Health Canada is considering approval of the first vaccine that would prevent the devastating disease that is Meningitis B, information from a recent study analyzing long-term affects of Men B on its victims should send a chill up our -- ironically enough -- spines.