Norovirus: What You Need to Know

You are most likely familiar with many of the respiratory viruses circulating this winter – including influenza, RSV, and COVID-19. However, another virus also circulates this time of year that may be less familiar to many parents and families: Norovirus.

What Is It?

Norovirus is a very contagious virus. You can get Norovirus from an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces. The virus causes the stomach or intestines (or both) to get inflamed. This leads to stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.

Anyone can be infected with Norovirus and get sick. Norovirus can be serious, especially for young children and older adults. This virus spreads very easily and very quickly (symptoms may begin within 24 hours of exposure). People can get Norovirus from direct contact with someone who is currently ill or recently ill from this virus. This can occur from activities such as sharing food or drinks, touching shared items, or helping care for a loved one who is sick.

While Norovirus spreads most commonly in the winter months, people may become sick from this virus at any time of year.

5 Tips for Avoiding Norovirus

1. Norovirus is very contagious. The best way to prevent Norovirus is to wash your hands well and often. Just rinsing your hands off with water isn’t going to help. Add a good amount of soap and lather up to ensure clean hands. While alcohol-based hand sanitizer is good against many other viruses, it is not effective against Norovirus. Soap and water must be used.
2. Norovirus likes to live on commonly touched surfaces. Get a jump-start on your spring cleaning and regularly clean and disinfect surfaces in your home and office. To disinfect against Norovirus, use a dilute chlorine bleach solution. Be sure to wear gloves while handling and eye protection for splashes or sprays. Note, chlorine may damage fabrics and porous surfaces. Spot-test before applying.
3. Take precautions while you are away from home. It’s very common these days to find cleaning wipes in public places like grocery stores. Take advantage of opportunities to clean up while you are out and about.
4. When you return from the grocery store, rinse fruits and vegetables thoroughly to avoid anything on their surfaces. If you purchased shellfish, be sure to cook it thoroughly.
5. Wash the family’s laundry thoroughly in hot water (check the label for delicate fabrics). This is especially ideal if you or your children are in daycare or schools where Norovirus might easily spread.

5 Tips for Managing Norovirus If You Have It

1. If you find yourself or your children in the unfortunate position of having Norovirus symptoms – vomiting and diarrhea – please stay home. Give yourself 72 hours after your symptoms before returning to work or school. This will dramatically reduce the chance that you pass the virus to someone else.
2. As a parent, avoid preparing foods for anyone else in your household if you have Norovirus. While this can prove challenging for single parents, your children will delight at an unexpected delivery from the local pizza company.
3. For most people, Norovirus will run its course in 36 to 48 hours. Take it easy and try to drink fluids to keep hydrated.
4. Most people do not require medical treatment for Norovirus. Staying hydrated is the number one goal so seek guidance from your family doctor if your young children are unable to wet a diaper.
5. If caring for a young child with Norovirus, take special care to clean areas exposed to feces (poop) or vomit contamination. Use dilute chlorine bleach cleaners to disinfect, wash fabrics in hot water (use a pre-wash cycle first), and steam-clean contaminated carpet (do not use a regular vacuum). And make sure to wash your hands with soap and water frequently.