Norovirus

Norovirus

Norovirus is a very contagious virus. You can get norovirus from an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces.

Anyone can be infected with norovirus and get sick. You can have norovirus illness many times in your life. One reason for this is that there are many different types of noroviruses. Being infected with one type of norovirus may not protect you against other types.

19-21 MILLIONNUMBER OF CASES OF ACUTE GASTROENTERITIS (INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH OR INTESTINES OR BOTH) CAUSED BY NOROVIRUS IN THE US EVERY YEAR.

570-800NUMBER OF DEATHS ATTRIBUTED TO NOROVIRUS ANNUALLY

Transmission

You are most contagious when you are symptomatic with norovirus, and during the first few days after you recover. Norovirus can spread quickly in closed places like daycare centers, nursing homes, schools, and cruise ships. Most norovirus outbreaks happen from November to April in the United States and cause about 20 million illnesses annually.

Norovirus illness can be serious, especially for young children and older adults. Norovirus can be found in your stool (feces) even before you start feeling sick. The virus can stay in your stool for two weeks or more after you feel better, leaving the opportunity to infect others.

You can become infected with norovirus by accidentally getting stool or vomit from infected people in your mouth. This usually happens by:

  • Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus,
  • Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus then putting your fingers in your mouth, or
  • Having contact with someone who is infected with norovirus (for example, caring for or sharing food or eating utensils with someone with norovirus illness).

Common norovirus outbreak settings include: Healthcare facilities, restaurants and catered events, cruise ships, and school and other institutional settings

Prevention

Ways to prevent norovirus include:

  • Practicing proper hand hygiene, washing your hands with soap and water, especially before handling and preparing food.
  • Avoid those who are sick and isolate when sick.
  • Washing fruits and vegetables and cooking seafood thoroughly.
  • Not preparing food or caring for others who are sick, when you are sick.
  • Cleaning and disinfecting contaminated surfaces using chlorine bleach, especially areas that may have come in contact with vomit or feces.
  • Washing laundry thoroughly.

Treatment

There is no specific medicine to treat people with norovirus illness. Norovirus infection cannot be treated with antibiotics because it is a viral (not a bacterial) infection. If you have norovirus illness, you should drink plenty of liquids to replace fluid lost from vomiting and diarrhea. This will help prevent dehydration.