Norovirus is extremely contagious, and, as anyone who has had it can tell you, extremely unpleasant. Cases of the illness — which can cause nausea, stomach pain and diarrhea — are on the rise in the United States, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Here’s what to know about norovirus, and how to protect yourself.
What are norovirus symptoms? How long do they last?
The illness commonly causes vomiting and diarrhea. Some people can develop a fever, body aches or stomach pain. “You feel pretty awful,” said Dr. Michael Angarone, an infectious disease specialist at Northwestern Medicine.
“If you’ve ever had it, you know you’ve had it,” he added.
Typically, symptoms emerge around 12 to 48 hours after someone is exposed to the virus. Most people infected with the virus will get better within one to three days. But norovirus can cause more serious illness in some patients, particularly young children and older people. In rare cases, it can lead to hospitalization and even death. If you think you have norovirus and feel very dizzy, or if your urine turns dark or you’re not urinating at all, you should seek medical attention, doctors said.
How does norovirus spread?
Easily. Because the illness spreads through direct contact with the virus, it thrives in environments where people are packed tightly together, like day cares and nursing homes. You can also get sick by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your mouth. The virus can also spread through food if infected people who have small traces of feces on their hands handle food, or if vomit particles from an infected person land on food.
To prevent infection, wash your hands often with soap and water, which is more effective than using hand sanitizer or alcohol sprays, said Dr. Stuart Ray, a professor in the division of infectious diseases at Johns Hopkins Medicine. “A quick spritz under the tap is not going to do the job — you really have to soap up like you’re scrubbing for surgery,” Dr. Ray said.
You should wash your hands before and after eating and after taking public transportation, Dr. Angarone said, and avoid touching your face as much as possible. If you’re preparing fruits and vegetables at home, wash them carefully.
I think I have norovirus. What should I do next?
It’s hard to differentiate norovirus from other sources of food poisoning or gastrointestinal issues because the symptoms can be so similar. If you think you have norovirus, isolate from other people as much as possible. You’re contagious as soon as you start feeling sick, according to the C.D.C., and you can still transmit the virus in the first few days after you recover. You should be especially cautious about hand hygiene during that time, Dr. Ray said.
Hydration is key, especially if you’re vomiting or experiencing diarrhea multiple times a day. You may also want a beverage that has electrolytes or rehydration salts. Pepto-Bismol can help with the nausea, Dr. Angarone said.
You will most likely feel better in a few days. “For most of us, this illness runs its course fairly quickly,” Dr. Angarone said.
