Norovirus is one of the leading causes of acute gastroenteritis worldwide, with higher activity in winter. Its symptoms, how it spreads, and what to do if you catch it.
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus and one of the leading causes of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. It can affect people of any age year-round, though activity increases during winter months, from November to April. It spreads through direct contact with an infected person, contaminated food or water, and contaminated surfaces such as tables, doorknobs, or utensils.
Unlike other gastrointestinal viruses such as rotavirus, norovirus spreads very quickly, survives longer on surfaces, and easily causes outbreaks — in daycares, cruise ships, restaurants, or any setting with close contact between people.
The most common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps, mild fever, fatigue, and headache. The incubation period is 12 to 48 hours, and symptoms typically last one to three days. Seek medical care if you experience dizziness, reduced urination, high fever, bloody diarrhea, or vomiting that persists beyond three days.
There is no specific medication for norovirus; the immune system clears the virus on its own within a few days. Care focuses on preventing dehydration with oral electrolyte solutions, avoiding sugary or caffeinated drinks, sticking to a bland diet (rice, banana, toast, whole-grain crackers), and resting — ideally staying home for the first 48 hours to avoid spreading it to others.
Prevention relies on frequent handwashing with soap and water, disinfecting surfaces with diluted chlorine solutions, avoiding close contact with infected people, and being especially careful with raw or undercooked shellfish (oysters, shrimp, clams, mussels), one of the most common sources of outbreaks.
It's possible to get norovirus more than once, since different strains of the virus exist, and there is currently no vaccine available. Young children and older adults face a higher risk of dehydration and need closer medical attention.
Unlike other gastrointestinal viruses such as rotavirus, norovirus spreads very quickly, survives longer on surfaces, and easily causes outbreaks — in daycares, cruise ships, restaurants, or any setting with close contact between people.
The most common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps, mild fever, fatigue, and headache. The incubation period is 12 to 48 hours, and symptoms typically last one to three days. Seek medical care if you experience dizziness, reduced urination, high fever, bloody diarrhea, or vomiting that persists beyond three days.
There is no specific medication for norovirus; the immune system clears the virus on its own within a few days. Care focuses on preventing dehydration with oral electrolyte solutions, avoiding sugary or caffeinated drinks, sticking to a bland diet (rice, banana, toast, whole-grain crackers), and resting — ideally staying home for the first 48 hours to avoid spreading it to others.
Prevention relies on frequent handwashing with soap and water, disinfecting surfaces with diluted chlorine solutions, avoiding close contact with infected people, and being especially careful with raw or undercooked shellfish (oysters, shrimp, clams, mussels), one of the most common sources of outbreaks.
It's possible to get norovirus more than once, since different strains of the virus exist, and there is currently no vaccine available. Young children and older adults face a higher risk of dehydration and need closer medical attention.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical care.