Gastrointestinal Illnesses - Noroviruses
Page Updated 9-19-23
Resources
Facts About Norovirus
What Is Norovirus?
Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause gastroenteritis (GAS-tro-en-ter-EYE-tis)
in people. Gastroenteritis refers to an inflammation of the stomach and intestines.
Signs and Symptoms
The symptoms of norovirus illness usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some
stomach cramping. Sometimes people additionally have a low-grade fever, chills, headache,
muscle aches, and a general sense of tiredness. The illness often begins suddenly, and
the infected person may feel very sick. In general, children experience more vomiting than
adults. Most people with norovirus illness have both diarrhea and vomiting. The illness is
usually brief with symptoms lasting for 1 or 2 days.
Transmission
Noroviruses are found in the stool (feces/poop) or vomit of infected people.
People can become infected with the virus in several ways, including:
- eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus
- touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus, and then placing their hand in their mouth
- having direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms
(for example, when caring for someone with illness, or sharing foods or eating utensils
with someone who is ill)
Persons working in day-care centers or nursing homes should pay special attention to
children or residents who have norovirus illness. This virus is very contagious and
can spread rapidly throughout such environments.
Treatment
Currently, there is no antiviral medication that works against norovirus and there is
no vaccine to prevent infection. Norovirus infection cannot be treated with antibiotics.
This is because antibiotics work to fight bacteria and not viruses.
Norovirus illness is usually brief in healthy individuals. When people are ill with
vomiting and diarrhea, they should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
Dehydration among young children, the elderly and the sick, can be common, and it is
the most serious health effect that can result from norovirus infection. By drinking
oral rehydration fluids (ORF), juice, or water, people can reduce their chance of
becoming dehydrated. Sports drinks do not replace the nutrients and minerals lost during
this illness.
Prevention
Steps to prevent noroviruses include:
- Frequently
wash
your hands (vigorously, with soap
and warm water), especially after toilet visits and changing diapers and before eating
or preparing food.
- Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and thoroughly cook shellfish (the virus is
killed above 60°C /140°F, freezing does not kill it)
- Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after an episode
of illness by using a bleach-based household cleaner.
- Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with virus
after an episode of illness (use hot water and soap).
- Flush or discard any vomitus and/or stool in the toilet (with the lid down) and make
sure that the surrounding area is kept clean.
- Persons who are infected with norovirus should not prepare food while they have symptoms
and for 48 hours after they recover from their illness.
- Immediately remove and wash clothing or linens that may be contaminated with virus
after an episode of illness (use hot water and soap).
- Food that may have been contaminated by an ill person should be disposed of properly.
For more information about noroviruses visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Norovirus Page.
