Norovirus Information & Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT IS NOROVIRUS?
Norovirus (also known as "the stomach bug") is a highly contagious illness cause by infection with a virus called norovirus.
Norovirus infection causes acute gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines)
Anyone can get norovirus, and they can have the illness multiple times during their lifetime.
There is no vaccine to prevent infection and no specific drug to treat people with norovirus illness.
WHAT ARE SYMPTOMS FOR NOROVIRUS?
The most common symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Symptoms can include cramping and low-grade fever.
HOW DO YOU GET NOROVIRUS?
Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus.
Touching surfaces or objects that are contaminated with norovirus, and then placing their hand in their mouth.
Having direct contact with an infected person; for example, by exposure to the virus when caring for or when sharing food, drinks, or sharing eating utensils with an infected person.
HOW SERIOUS IS NOROVIRUS?
Norovirus can make people feel extremely ill and vomit or have diarrhea many times a day.
Most people get better within 1 to 2 days.
Dehydration can be a problem among some people with norovirus infection, especially the very young, the elderly, and people with other illnesses.
HOW CAN I PROPERLY CLEAN/DISINFECT?
If you have been exposed to and have symptoms of a Norovirus, it is important to thoroughly clean and disinfect your living environment.
Preparation is important. Be sure to use disposable gloves, a mask, a form of eye protection and protective clothing while thoroughly cleaning.
It is best to use chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite-NaOCl) as the main disinfecting agent. Open bottles of concentrated chlorine will lose effectiveness after 30 days. Change bottles of bleach every 30 days for accurate concentrations. For disinfecting, use an unopened bottle of chlorine bleach. Prepare the solution as indicated below, using fresh bleach each day. Discard unused portions.
Concentrations:
For stainless steel, food/mouth contact items: 1 tablespoon of bleach in 1 gallon of water.
For non-porous surfaces such as tile floors, counter-tops, sinks, etc.: a third (1/3) cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water.
For porous surfaces such as wooden floors: one and two-thirds (1 2/3) cups of bleach in 1 gallon of water.
Leave bleach solution on the surface for 10 to 20 minutes, and then rinse the area with clean water.
After the disinfection process is complete, close off the area, if possible, for at least one hour. If there are windows, air out the area.
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before resuming work.
WHEN TO WASH HANDS:
Before, during, and after preparing food
Before eating food
After using the toilet
After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
Before and after caring for someone who is sick
After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
After touching an animal or animal waste
After children play outside
After touching garbage
Before and after treating a cut or wound
HOW TO WASH YOUR HANDS THE RIGHT WAY:
Wet your hands with warm, clean, running water and apply soap.
Rub your hands together to make a lather and scrub them well; be sure to scrub the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
Continue rubbing your hands for at least 20 seconds.
Rinse your hands well under running water.
Dry your hands using a paper towel.
Turn off faucet with a paper towel.
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