Prevent the Spread of Norovirus
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Noroviruses spread easily, causing more than 20 million gastroenteritis cases each year in the U.S. There's no vaccine to prevent and no drug to treat norovirus infection. Wash your hands, follow practical tips, keep virus-free.
Noroviruses are a group of related viruses. Infection with these viruses affects the stomach and intestines and causes an illness called gastroenteritis (GAS-tro-en-ter-I-tis; inflammation of the stomach and intestines). Anyone can become sick with norovirus—and you can get it more than once during your life.
Norovirus illness often begins suddenly and, when infected, you may feel very sick, with stomach cramping, vomiting, or diarrhea. Infections are usually not serious, and most people recover within 1 or 2 days with no long-term health effects. But, more severe illness is possible, particularly in young children, the elderly, and people with other health conditions, and can lead to hospitalization and even death.
Anyone Can Get Norovirus
Noroviruses are the most common cause of gastroenteritis in the United States. CDC estimates that each year more than 20 million cases of acute gastroenteritis are due to norovirus infection. That means about 1 in every 15 Americans becomes sick with norovirus each year. Norovirus is also estimated to cause over 70,000 hospitalizations and more than 500 deaths annually in the United States.
Norovirus and Food
Norovirus is the leading cause of disease from contaminated foods in the United States; it is responsible for more illnesses than all other viruses, bacteria, and parasites combined. Of all foodborne disease outbreaks with a known cause in the United States, over half are caused by noroviruses. The types of foods most commonly involved in foodborne norovirus outbreaks include leafy greens (such as lettuce) and raw shellfish (such as oysters). However, any food item that is served raw or handled after being cooked can become contaminated with noroviruses.
You may hear norovirus called "calicivirus," "viral gastroenteritis," "acute gastroenteritis," and "non-bacterial gastroenteritis." It's also common to hear norovirus illness called "food poisoning" or "stomach flu." It is true that food poisoning can be caused by noroviruses, but it can also be caused by other germs and chemicals. Norovirus illness is not related to the flu (influenza), a respiratory illness caused by influenza virus.
Many Names, Same Symptoms
Symptoms of norovirus infection usually include
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Nausea
Stomach cramping
Other, less common symptoms may include
Low-grade fever
Chills
Headache
Muscle aches
General sense of fatigue
Most people with norovirus get better within 1–2 days. Some may feel very sick and vomit many times a day. Because they can't drink enough liquids to replace those lost from vomiting and diarrhea, some people become dehydrated. This is especially true for young children, the elderly, and persons of any age who are unable to care for themselves or who have other illnesses. Symptoms of dehydration in adults and children include a decrease in urination, a dry mouth and throat, and feeling dizzy when standing up. A dehydrated child may also cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or fussy.
Severe dehydration can be serious. The best way to prevent dehydration is to drink plenty of liquids. The most helpful fluids for this purpose are oral rehydration fluids. Other drinks that do not contain caffeine or alcohol can also help with mild dehydration. However, these drinks may not replace important nutrients and minerals that are lost due to vomiting and diarrhea.
If you think you or someone you are caring for is severely dehydrated, contact your doctor.
For more information on norovirus and dehydration, see How is viral gastroenteritis treated?"
Norovirus Gets Around Quickly
Norovirus can spread rapidly from person to person in crowded, closed places like long-term care facilities, daycare centers, schools, hotels, and cruise ships. Noroviruses can also be a major cause of gastroenteritis in restaurants and catered-meal settings if contaminated food is served.
The virus is found in the stool (fecal matter) and vomit of infected people. You can get it by
Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus.
Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus and then putting your hand or fingers in your mouth.
Having direct contact with another person who is infected with norovirus (for example, when caring for someone with norovirus or sharing foods or eating utensils with someone who is infected).
People with norovirus are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill until at least 3 days after recovery. And some people may be contagious for even longer after recovering from the illness.
Norovirus: No Vaccine and No Treatment
There is no vaccine to prevent norovirus infection, and there is no drug to treat people who are sick from the virus. Antibiotic drugs will not help if you have norovirus infection. This is because antibiotics fight against bacteria, not viruses. However, there are practical tips you can follow to protect yourself and others from getting infected with norovirus.
Stop the Spread of Norovirus
Follow these simple tips to reduce the chances of you, your family, and others becoming sick from norovirus:
Practice proper hand hygiene: Wash your hands carefully with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and changing diapers and always before eating or preparing food. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers (containing at least 62% ethanol) may be a helpful addition to hand washing, but they are not a substitute for washing with soap and water.
Norovirus…What's in a Name?
The first norovirus strain, the Norwalk agent, was discovered from an outbreak of gastroenteritis that occurred in a school in Norwalk, Ohio, in 1968. Many outbreaks with similar symptoms were later reported from other settings, such as restaurants, nursing homes, day care centers, and cruise ships. Researchers found that these outbreaks were caused by viruses that were related to the Norwalk agent, so the viruses first became known as Norwalk-like viruses. Norovirus is now the official name for this group of viruses.
Take care in the kitchen: Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and cook oysters and other shellfish thoroughly before eating them.
Do not prepare food while infected: People who are infected with norovirus should not prepare food for others while they have symptoms and for 3 days after they recover from their illness (see Norovirus: Food Handlers).
Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces: After an episode of illness, such as vomiting or diarrhea, immediately clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces by using a bleach-based household cleaner as directed on the product label or a solution made by adding 5–25 tablespoons of household bleach to 1 gallon of water.
Wash laundry thoroughly: Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with vomit or fecal matter. Handle soiled items carefully—without agitating them—to avoid spreading virus. They should be laundered with detergent at the maximum available cycle length and then machine dried.
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