Norovirus Infection

What Is Norovirus?

Norovirus, sometimes called the stomach flu or stomach bug, is a common viral infection that causes gastroenteritis, or inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It’s the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea in the United States, responsible for millions of cases each year.

Though it’s often mistaken for food poisoning, norovirus isn’t caused by bacteria. It spreads extremely easily and can affect people of all ages. Norovirus outbreaks often happen in shared spaces where many people are in close contact, such as nursing homes, cruise ships and schools.

While unpleasant, norovirus usually isn’t dangerous for healthy people. But it can be serious for babies, older adults and anyone with a weakened immune system.

How Do You Get Norovirus?

Norovirus spreads quickly through:

• Eating or drinking food or liquid contaminated with the virus
• Touching surfaces or objects with the virus on them, then putting your hands in your mouth
• Close contact with someone who is infected, especially if they’re vomiting or have diarrhea
• Exposure to aerosolized particles from vomit

Contamination often happens when food is prepared by someone who is infected, especially if they didn’t wash their hands properly.

Norovirus is tough to eliminate because it can survive on surfaces for several days and isn’t easily destroyed by typical household cleaners.

Norovirus Symptoms

• Symptoms typically appear 12 to 48 hours after being exposed and can include:
• Sudden onset of nausea
• Vomiting (often forceful)
• Watery diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Low-grade fever
• Headache and muscle aches
• Fatigue or general malaise

While recovery usually takes just a few days, the loss of fluids from vomiting and diarrhea can cause dehydration – this is particularly risky for infants, young kids and older adults.

How Is Norovirus Diagnosed?

Health care providers typically identify norovirus by evaluating your symptoms and any recent contact with someone who was sick. Most of the time, lab tests aren’t necessary.

However, your provider may:

• Ask about recent illness or outbreaks in your community
• Conduct a stool test in severe or outbreak-related cases

Lab tests can confirm the virus but are not always necessary for typical cases.

How Is Norovirus Treated?

There’s no specific medicine to treat norovirus. Since it’s a virus, antibiotics won’t help. Instead, staying hydrated and resting will be the best option for helping the body fight the virus.

At-Home Care:

• Drink fluids regularly: Use water, clear broths or oral rehydration solutions to avoid dehydration.
  
• Eat bland foods: Once vomiting subsides, start with easy-to-digest foods like crackers, rice, bananas or applesauce.
  
• Rest: Allow your body time to recover.
  
• Avoid certain medications: Don’t take anti-diarrheal medications unless your provider recommends it because they can make the illness last longer.

When to Call a Health Care Provider:

Seek medical help if you or someone you’re caring for shows signs of severe dehydration, including:

• Dry mouth
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Decreased urination
• Dark urine
• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea lasting more than 3 days
• High fever or blood in the stool

Infants, elderly individuals and people with chronic illnesses may need medical care sooner.

How to Prevent Norovirus

Preventing norovirus is all about cleanliness and smart habits:

• Wash hands often and thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom or before eating or preparing food.
• Wash fruits and vegetables before eating.
• Cook seafood thoroughly, especially shellfish like oysters, which are a known source of infection.
• Clean and disinfect surfaces with bleach-based cleaners, especially after someone vomits or has diarrhea.
• Avoid preparing food for others when you’re sick and for at least 2 days after symptoms stop.
• Stay home when sick to prevent spreading the virus at school or work.

Norovirus can be hard to avoid during outbreaks, but taking these steps significantly lowers your risk.

If you think you or your child has norovirus, focus on hydration, rest, and avoiding the spread of illness to others. Most people get better on their own. For those at higher risk or who are showing severe symptoms, don’t hesitate to reach out to a healthcare provider.

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