Norovirus
[nor-row virus]
Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. People of all ages can get sick with norovirus. You can get norovirus by accidentally getting tiny particles of feces (poop) or vomit from an infected person in your mouth. There’s no vaccine to prevent norovirus infection and no drug to treat it. Wash your hands often and follow some simple prevention tips to stay healthy.
Quiz
Key Facts
- Norovirus causes about 20 million illnesses, 109,000 hospitalizations, and 900 deaths each year in the United States.
- Most people get norovirus from having direct contact with an infected person, such as by caring for them, sharing food or eating utensils with them, or eating food handled by them. People can also get norovirus by touching contaminated surfaces or objects, and then putting their fingers in their mouth.
- Norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States.
- Symptoms of norovirus illness begin suddenly and usually include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain.
- Infected people are contagious when they have symptoms but can also spread it a few days before and after they have symptoms.
Media
You may get dehydrated if you are not able to drink enough liquids to replace the fluids lost from throwing up or having diarrhea many times a day. The best way to prevent dehydration is to drink plenty of liquids.
Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the toilet and always before eating or preparing food. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label.
You can protect yourself and others from norovirus by following some simple tips: wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds; cook shellfish to 140 degrees Fahrenheit or higher; don’t prepare food or care for others when you’re sick; rinse fruits and vegetables thoroughly; and, after vomiting or having diarrhea, immediately clean and disinfect surfaces and wash soiled laundry.
Prevention Tips
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. You can tell if the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol by looking at the product label.
- When preparing food, carefully rinse fruits and vegetables and thoroughly cook shellfish, such as oysters.
- Do not prepare food or provide care for others when you are sick with norovirus and for at least 2 days after you feel better.
- Immediately clean and sanitize surfaces that have diarrhea or vomit on them. Use disposable gloves to wipe up vomit or diarrhea with paper towels. Next, use a bleach-based or other approved cleaner on the surface. Then clean the surface again with hot water and soap.