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# Noroviruses: What you need to know
- URL: https://www.foodconsumer.org/noroviruses_0611110115/
- Published: 2011-06-11T14:14:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-22T15:59:00.000Z
- Description: Noroviruses cause gastroenteritis and spread through contaminated food, surfaces and infected people. Symptoms begin 12 to 48 hours after exposure and last 12 to 60 hours. The advice is fluids, rest, and staying away from other people and from preparing food.
- Author: Food Consumer
- Tags: Biological, Food Safety, Noroviruses, #vivvo-import

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause the “stomach flu,” or gastroenteritis. Noroviruses are very contagious. They usually are found in contaminated food or drinks, but they also can live on surfaces or be spread through contact with an infected person.

| **Sources**             | Shellfish, foods contaminated with feces, ready-to-eat foods touched by infected food workers (salads, sandwiches, ice, cookies, fruit).                                                                                   |
| ----------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Incubation Period**   | 12-48 hours                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| **Symptoms**            | Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, fever, and some headache. Diarrhea is more prevalent in adults and vomiting is more prevalent in children.                                                                 |
| **Duration of Illness** | 12-60 hours                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| **What Do I Do?**       | Drink plenty of fluids and get rest. Avoid contact with other people and do not prepare food for others, since the virus is highly contagious. If you cannot drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration, call your doctor. |

## General Information

[Norovirus Infection](http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/norovirus/?ref=foodconsumer.org) (National Institute of Allergy and Infections Diseases)  
General information on causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention.

[Norovirus](http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/norovirus.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org) (CDC)  
General information, including questions and answers, as well as information for food handlers and healthcare facilities.

[Viral Gastroenteritis](http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/faq.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org) (CDC)  
Details on gastroenteritis caused by noroviruses, rotaviruses, and other viruses.

[Norwalk virus family](http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FoodborneIllness/FoodborneIllnessFoodbornePathogensNaturalToxins/BadBugBook/ucm071344.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org) (FDA)  
From the [Bad Bug Book](http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FoodborneIllness/FoodborneIllnessFoodbornePathogensNaturalToxins/BadBugBook/default.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org); provides basic facts, including associated foods, frequency of disease, complications, and target populations.

[Facts About Noroviruses on Cruise Ships](http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/vsp/pub/norovirus/Norovirus.htm?ref=foodconsumer.org) (CDC)  
Find out why norovirus outbreaks are associated with cruise ships.

By foodsafety.gov