# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Norovirus - Epidemiology, Clinical Presentation, and Prevention

# data[].attributes.body
Assistant Professor of Laboratory Medicine and of Immunobiology; Medical Director, Immune Monitoring Core Facility

# data[].attributes.body
https://www.steritech.com/knowledge-center/infographics/say-no-to-norovirus-poster/

# data[].attributes.body
Bacterial food-borne viruses have declined rapidly because of refrigeration being better, but it still doesn't work against Norovirus. Norovirus is resistant to cold air and persist in the environment.
Since the early days we have been eating foods that has been potentially handled by affected people. If the food we eat is contaminated, then why wouldn't we contract the virus and spread it when it isn't our fault clearly.
More and more people are traveling and have passing norovirus infection by being exposed to hotels, airplanes, passengers, etc.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Your access to the NCBI website at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov has been temporarily blocked due to a possible misuse/abuse situation involving your site. This is not an indication of a security issue such as a virus or attack. It could be something as simple as a run away script or learning how to better use E-utilities, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK25497/, for more efficient work such that your work does not impact the ability of other researchers to also use our site. To restore access and understand how to better interact with our site to avoid this in the future, please have your system administrator contact info@ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Your access to the NCBI website at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov has been temporarily blocked due to a possible misuse/abuse situation involving your site. This is not an indication of a security issue such as a virus or attack.

# data[].attributes.body
Ways to prevent Norovirus:
1) Wash hands often
2) Wash fruits and vegetables
3) Do not cook if sick
4) Eat healthy, quality foods
There is no treatment as of yet for Norovirus

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
You can help protect yourself and others from norovirus by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water and following other simple prevention tips.

There is currently no vaccine to prevent norovirus; although, this is an area of active research.

Practice proper hand hygiene

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water

especially after using the toilet or changing diapers,

always before eating, preparing, or handling food, and

before giving yourself or someone else medicine.

Norovirus can be found in your vomit or feces even before you start feeling sick. The virus can also stay in your feces for two weeks or more after you feel better. It is important to continue washing your hands often during this time.

You can use alcohol-based hand sanitizers in addition to hand washing, but you should not use hand sanitizer as a substitute for washing your hands with soap and water. Hand sanitizers aren't as effective as washing hands with soap and water at removing norovirus particles. See " Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives. "

Handle and prepare food safely

Carefully wash fruits and vegetables before preparing and eating them. Cook oysters and other shellfish thoroughly before eating them.

Be aware that noroviruses are relatively resistant to heat. They can survive temperatures as high as 145°F. Quick steaming processes that are often used for cooking shellfish may not heat foods sufficiently to kill noroviruses.

Food that might be contaminated with norovirus should be thrown out.

Keep sick infants and children out of areas where food is being handled and prepared.

See Handwashing: A Health Habit in the Kitchen

When you are sick, do not prepare food or care for others

You should not prepare food for others or provide healthcare while you are sick and for at least two days after symptoms stop. This also applies to sick workers in restaurants, schools, daycares, long-term care facilities, and other places where they may expose people to norovirus.

Clean and disinfect surfaces

After someone vomits or has diarrhea, always thoroughly clean and disinfect the entire area immediately. Put on rubber or disposable gloves and wipe the entire area with paper towels, then disinfect the area using a bleach-based household cleaner as directed on the product label. Leave the bleach disinfectant on the affected area for at least five minutes, then clean the entire area again with soap and hot water. Finish by cleaning soiled laundry, taking out the trash, and washing your hands.

To help make sure that food is safe from norovirus, routinely clean and sanitize kitchen utensils, counters, and surfaces before preparing food.

You should use a chlorine bleach solution with a concentration of 1,000 to 5,000 ppm (5 to 25 tablespoons of household bleach [5% to 8%] per gallon of water) or other disinfectant registered as effective against norovirus by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For more information, see EPA's Registered Antimicrobial Products Effective Against Norovirus (Norwalk-like virus) pdf icon [6 pages] external icon .

Wash laundry thoroughly

Immediately remove and wash clothes or linens that may be contaminated with vomit or feces.

You should:

handle soiled items carefully without agitating them,

wear rubber or disposable gloves while handling soiled items and wash your hands after, and

wash the items with detergent and hot water at the maximum available cycle length and then machine dry them at the highest heat setting.

Norovirus Prevention at Youth Camp:

Page last reviewed:

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
You can help protect yourself and others from norovirus by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water and following other simple prevention tips. There is currently no vaccine to prevent norovirus; although, this is an area of active research.

# data[].attributes.body
Usually most physicians would know by symptoms but to be sure, stool tests are usually done.
There's no treatment, according to "Mayo Clinic". To relieve some of the pain, you must drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Take pain killers to avoid fever and aches and make sure you eat plain foods like rice, soup, etc.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Diagnosis

Diagnosis is usually based on your symptoms, but norovirus can be identified from a stool sample. If you are immunocompromised or have other health problems, your doctor might recommend a stool test to confirm the presence of norovirus.

Treatment

There's no specific treatment for norovirus infection, and recovery generally depends on the health of your immune system. In most people, the illness usually resolves within a few days.

It's important to replace lost fluids. Oral rehydration solutions may be used. If you're unable to drink enough fluids to prevent dehydration, you might need to receive fluids through a vein.

Your doctor also might recommend over-the-counter anti-diarrheal medication.

Lifestyle and home remedies

If your family includes young children, it's a good idea to have commercially prepared oral rehydration solutions on hand. Adults can drink sports drinks, broths or oral rehydration solutions. Drinking liquids that contain a lot of sugar, such as soft drinks and fruit juices, can worsen diarrhea.

Smaller meals and a bland diet might help limit vomiting. Some foods to consider:

Soup

Starches and cereals, such as potatoes, noodles, rice or crackers

Bananas

Yogurt

Broiled vegetables

Preparing for your appointment

Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.

What you can do

Write down your symptoms, including when the illness began and the frequency of the vomiting and diarrhea.

Make a list of all your medications, vitamins or supplements.

Write down your key medical information, including other conditions.

Write down key personal information, including any recent changes or stressors in your life.

Write down questions to ask your doctor.

Questions to ask your doctor

What's the most likely cause of my symptoms?

What treatments can help?

How can I avoid spreading my illness to other people?

Don't hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions, including:

How long have you or your child had symptoms?

How frequent are the vomiting and diarrhea?

Does the vomit or diarrhea contain mucus, blood or a dark green fluid?

Have you or your child had a fever?

Show references

1. Matson DO, et al. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of norovirus and related viruses. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Nov. 14, 2017.

2. Blacklow NR. Epidemiology of viral gastroenteritis in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Nov. 14, 2016.

3. Longo DL, et al., eds. Viral gastroenteritis. In: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 19th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Education; 2015. http://accessmedicine.com. Accessed Nov. 14, 2016.

4. AskMayoExpert. Norovirus. Rochester, Minn.: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; 2015.

5. Alexandraki I, et al. Acute viral gastroenteritis in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home. Accessed Nov. 15, 2016.

6. Norovirus: Technical fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/index.html. Accessed Nov. 15, 2016.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Diagnosis is usually based on your symptoms, but norovirus can be identified from a stool sample. If you are immunocompromised or have other health problems, your doctor might recommend a stool test to confirm the presence of norovirus. There's no specific treatment for norovirus infection, and recovery generally depends on the health of your immune system.

# data[].attributes.body
1) nausea
2) stomach pain
3) vomiting

# data[].attributes.body
Caliciviridae

# data[].attributes.body
Norovirus (the stomach bug) is a very contagious virus that that causes gastroenteritis.You may get infected by norovirus if you get small particles of feces or puke on your hands and touch your mouth.
You can get them by shaking hands with someone (that shouldn't be a huge issue right now because were in a pandemic and you shouldn't be shaking peoples hands anyway), eating or drinking contaminated food and drink (including water), or being very close to someone who has it.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention