What are Noroviruses?
Noroviruses are the most common cause of "stomach flu," or gastroenteritis in the United States. Noroviruses are not related to the respiratory illness "flu" which is caused by the influenza virus. Unlike bacteria, viruses are not affected by treatment with antibiotics.
How do people become infected with noroviruses?
Noroviruses are found in the stool or vomit of infected people and it is highly contagious. Outbreaks tend to occur in crowded settings such as cruise ships, camps, shelters and hospital wards. People can become infected with the virus in several ways, including:
- eating food or drinking liquids contaminated with norovirus;
- touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus, and then placing their hands in their mouths;
- having direct contact with another person who is infected and having vomiting and/or diarrhea;
What are the symptoms of norovirus?
Symptoms usually begin about 24-48 hours after exposure but they can appear as early as 12 hours after exposure. Symptoms usually include nausea, vomiting, nonbloody diarrhea, and sometimes stomach cramping. Some people will develop a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and a general sense of tiredness. Their symptoms usually last about 1 or 2 days.
What is the treatment for norovirus?
Currently there is no antiviral medication that works against norovirus and there is no vaccine to prevent infection. When people are ill with vomiting and diarrhea, they should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Symptoms usually last about 1-2 days; there are usually no long-term effects of norovirus infection.
How can I prevent norovirus infection?
- Frequently wash your hands, especially after bathroom visits, changing diapers and before eating or preparing food. If warm water and soap are not available, use an alcohol gel hand sanitizer.
- Carefully wash fruits and vegetables, and steam oysters before eating them.
- Flush or discard any vomit and/or stool in the toilet and make sure that the surrounding area is kept clean.
- Thoroughly clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces immediately after and episode of illness by using a bleach-based household cleaner.
- Persons who are infected with norovirus should not prepare food while they have symptoms and for 3 days after they recover from their illness.
If you have any questions, please contact Hartshorn Health Services at (970)491-7121 or your healthcare provider. For more information about noroviruses, visit http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/.