Norovirus is a common cause of disease of the stomach and intestine.

 

How is norovirus transmitted?

• Norovirus spreads very easily and quickly in different ways.

• The primary mode of transmission is the fecal (or vomit)-oral route, usually through direct contact between people. 

 

• Patients can shed billions of norovirus particles. Only a few norovirus particles can make other people sick. 

• Patients are most contagious when they are vomiting and during the first few days after they recover from norovirus illness.

• Secondary source of transmission: ingestion of contaminated water, food or contact with contaminated surfaces. 

 

What are the symptoms of norovirus?

• Norovirus infection causes acute gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines). 

• This leads to diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain.

• This can lead to dehydration, especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses. Symptoms of dehydration include: 

             decrease in urination;

             dry mouth and throat; 

             feeling dizzy when standing up

               Children who are dehydrated may cry with few or no tears and be unusually                 sleepy or fussy.

• Norovirus remains infectious passing through the acidic stomach. Remember that norovirus will cause you to vomit and often have  diarrhea at the same time.

• Other symptoms of Norovirus infection include fever, headache and body aches.

• Norovirus illness is often called by other names, such as food poisoning and stomach flu.

• Norovirus illness is not related to the influenza (caused by influenza virus). Though norovirus and influenza virus share some of the same symptoms, the influenza is a respiratory illness caused by influenza virus. 

• A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to norovirus. Most people with norovirus illness get better within 1 to 3 days

 

Is there a norovirus treatment?

• There’s no vaccine to prevent norovirus infection and no drug to treat it 

• Antibiotics will not help with norovirus illness because antibiotics do not work on viruses. 

• When you have norovirus illness, drink plenty of liquids to replace fluid loss and prevent dehydration. 

• If you or someone you are caring for is dehydrated, call a doctor. 

 

How do you prevent norovirus? 

• There’s no vaccine to prevent norovirus infection

• Washing your hands frequently

• Use chlorine bleach for disinfecting bathroom surfaces

Thoroughly wash clothing and linens of someone who is ill from norovirus because the virus is highly contagious.