Norovirus - More Info

What is Norovirus?
Norovirus is a viral infection that infects humans and causes illness in humans.

What are the symptoms of illness caused by Norovirus?
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. Other symptoms may include low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and general tiredness.

How long do symptoms last?
The illness often begins suddenly when an infected person may feel very sick. The duration of the illness is usually brief, with symptoms lasting only about 1 or 2 days.

Is Norovirus the same as the flu?
Norovirus is sometimes referred to as the "stomach flu" – this "stomach flu" is not related to the flu (or influenza), which is a respiratory illness caused by influenza virus.

Who can become infected with Norovirus?
Anyone can become infected with this virus.

Is the Norovirus virus contagious?
Yes, the virus is highly contagious and can spread easily from person to person.
People infected with the virus are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill and up to 3 days after recovery.

How is Norovirus spread?
The virus can spread to people by several means, including:

• eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with Norovirus;
• touching surfaces or objects contaminated with Norovirus, and then placing their hand in their mouth;
• having direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms (for example, when caring for someone with illness, or sharing foods or eating utensils with someone who is ill).

Persons working in day-care centers or nursing homes should pay special attention to children or residents who have Norovirus illness. This virus is very contagious and can spread rapidly throughout such environments.

Is there treatment for people who have Norovirus?
There is no specific treatment. Norovirus infection cannot be treated with antibiotics because antibiotics work to fight bacteria and not viruses.

Norovirus illness is usually brief in healthy individuals. People who are ill with vomiting and diarrhea should drink plenty of fluids to lessen the impact of the symptoms and prevent dehydration. Dehydration among young children and the elderly can be common, and sometimes they may need intravenous fluid replacement.

How can people prevent the spread of Norovirus?
Washing hands provides the best defence against Norovirus. This is because exposure to even a small amount of the virus is enough to make an individual sick.

In order to protect themselves from the virus, people should:

• wash their hands before and after handling food or food utensils, and after using the toilet, caring for the sick, changing diapers, handling garbage and shaking hands.
• wash kitchen and laundry countertops and other surfaces with warm, soapy water.
• thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables.

An individual ill with symptoms of Norovirus virus infection should:

• stay home from work or school, as it's easy for others to become infected if they live or work in your environment.
• not prepare food for others.
• not provide care or visit individuals in child-care centres or long-term care facilities until at least 48 hours after the illness stops.

Disclaimer
Reviewed by Alberta clinical experts. Brought to you by HealthLink Alberta. Copyright.
This material is designed for information purposes only. It should not be used in place of medical advice, instruction and/or treatment. For more health advice call Capital Health Link at 780-408-LINK (5465) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In Alberta, call Toll-free: 1-866-408-LINK (5465)