If you’ve ever had what felt like a stomach flu with intense vomiting and diarrhea, it’s quite possible you were struck by the notorious norovirus. This extremely contagious virus causes gastroenteritis, an intestinal inflammation that leads to those nasty symptoms along with nausea, abdominal cramps, fever, and body aches.
Norovirus is never fun. Learning the symptoms and stopping the spread through good hygiene can help you and your family steer clear of this awful stomach bug.
What is Norovirus
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes acute gastroenteritis, an intestinal inflammation that leads to stomach pains, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is sometimes inaccurately called the “stomach flu” even though it is not related to influenza viruses.
While unpleasant, norovirus illness usually resolves within 1 to 3 days in otherwise healthy people. However, it can be particularly dangerous for young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems due to the rapid dehydration it causes.
Common symptoms
The primary symptoms of norovirus include:
- Sudden onset of vomiting
- Watery diarrhea
- Nausea
- Abdominal cramps
- Low-grade fever
- Body aches
- Headaches
Symptoms usually begin 12 to 48 hours after exposure of the virus. Vomiting and diarrhea are the most common and can quickly lead to dehydration, especially in children.
While norovirus usually goes away on its own, seek medical attention if symptoms worsen or dehydration becomes severe.
How it spreads
Norovirus is incredibly contagious and can be transmitted rapidly through:
- Direct contact with an infected person
- Consuming contaminated food or water
- Touching contaminated surfaces and then ingesting the virus
- Spread via aerosolized vomit particles
The virus can survive on hard surfaces for weeks and is resistant to many common disinfectants. It only takes a few viral particles to cause infection, making it easy to contract from shared spaces like schools, shopping malls, restaurants, and healthcare facilities.
How to prevent
While norovirus usually goes away on its own with rest and fluid replacement for most people. But preventing it in the first place is ideal. Key prevention tips include:
- Frequent handwashing with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom and before eating
- Carefully washing fruits and veggies before eating
- Cooking all food, particularly shellfish thoroughly
- Avoid drinks with ice of unknown origin
- Staying home from work or school while sick and for at least 48 hours after symptoms resolve
- Disinfecting contaminated surfaces with a bleach-based cleaner
- Washing laundry thoroughly and handling soiled items with care
