If you have more than one friend cancel your plans because of the “stomach flu” or “stomach problem,” take note. It’s possible that norovirus is in disguise, which means you could be at risk, too.
Norovirus can affect anyone. In fact, although norovirus outbreaks can occur year-round, they are most common from November to April. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Cases are Currently on the rise Across the United States with a national outbreak High 10 years.
“Norovirus is highly contagious,” says immunologist and microbiologist Andrea C. Love, Ph.D., an immunologist, microbiologist, and advisory board member for the Case Center at PS. The virus is so easily transmitted that “less than 20 viral particles can infect someone,” Dr. Love says.
However, norovirus is not actually a “contagious flu,” and is not related to influenza viruses. However, its symptoms are similar. Norovirus is “characterized by violent vomiting,” explains Amesh Adalja, MD, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security. “Diarrhoea, fever, and muscle aches can also occur, but vomiting is the most affecting symptom.”
Although there is no vaccine or specific treatment for norovirus, its symptoms can be managed at home. Of course, preventive strategies and knowing the signs and symptoms can help you avoid contracting the virus in the first place. Here’s everything you need to know about norovirus, including how norovirus spreads, how to treat norovirus, and more.
Experts featured in this article:
Amisha AdaljaMD, is a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security.
Andrea C. lovePh.D., is an immunologist, microbiologist, and member of the PS Center Advisory Board.
What is norovirus?
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus and “the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis (inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract),” Dr. Love says. People of all ages can become infected with norovirus, causing severe vomiting and diarrhea. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
Unfortunately, you can get the disease several times throughout your life, as there are many different types of norovirus. “Infection with one type of norovirus may not protect you from other types. It is possible to develop immunity to certain types. But it is not known exactly how long immunity lasts,” the CDC states.
Norovirus symptoms
A person usually develops norovirus symptoms within 12 to 48 hours of exposure, according to the CDC. The most common symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- nausea
- Stomach pain
“Norovirus is a virus that causes gastrointestinal disease,” says Dr. Adalja, especially gastroenteritis, or inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It is not uncommon for someone with norovirus to vomit or have diarrhea several times a day. This can also lead to dehydration. Other norovirus symptoms to watch out for include fever, headache, and body aches.
How does norovirus spread?
“Norovirus is spread through close contact with someone infected with norovirus, through surfaces contaminated with viruses, or in the air after someone vomits,” says Dr. Adalja. Dr. Love adds that fecal-oral contact and food and water sources can also be responsible for spreading the virus.
She says outbreaks can be very common in densely populated areas where people are in close quarters, such as daycares and cruise ships. Not to mention, “norovirus is the leading cause of illness and outbreaks due to contaminated foods in the United States,” according to the CDC. Many outbreaks occur in food service settings.
Even after you recover from the virus, you may continue to shed it in your stool for weeks to come. “So, if proper hygiene measures are not implemented, it could lead to continued outbreaks,” says Dr. Love.
How long does norovirus infection last?
“You are most contagious when you have norovirus symptoms or during the few days after you feel better.” According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. But some research, according to the CDC, has shown that you can still spread the virus more than two weeks after you’ve recovered.
Stomach flu versus norovirus
It can be difficult, especially when people use blanket terms like “stomach flu” to describe symptoms that are also present with norovirus. But norovirus has nothing to do with influenza at all, and is not caused by the influenza virus. In fact, the stomach flu isn’t even a flu. It’s a viral infection in your digestive system, According to the Cleveland Clinic – Something that norovirus can cause.
Food poisoning versus norovirus
Both norovirus and food poisoning are stomach illnesses, but the causes are very different. Food poisoning is caused by eating contaminated food, while norovirus is caused by close person-to-person contact. While the symptoms are similar (such as vomiting and diarrhea), the onset of those symptoms is different. The incubation period for norovirus is 12 to 24 hours, while some cases of food poisoning can develop symptoms within hours of eating contaminated food products, Dr. Love says.
Rotavirus vs norovirus
Rotavirus is another gastrointestinal infection that can cause diarrhea and vomiting. According to the Cleveland Clinic. But unlike norovirus, rotavirus tends to affect children more than adults, while norovirus can affect any age group. Rotavirus symptoms also tend to last longer than norovirus symptoms. “Norovirus symptoms are usually short-lived, while rotavirus symptoms can last up to eight days,” says Dr. Love.
How long does norovirus last?
“For most people, norovirus infection usually goes away within a few days and is not life-threatening.” According to the Mayo Clinic. However, the disease can be too severe for some, especially young children, older adults, people with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women. In some cases, norovirus can lead to dehydration, hospitalization, and death.
But again, the majority of people will recover within a few days. If you have diarrhea that doesn’t go away within several days or have severe vomiting, bloody stools, stomach pain or dehydration, you should contact your health care provider or consider seeking medical care, according to the Mayo Clinic.
How does norovirus affect pregnancy?
As mentioned previously, norovirus typically causes gastroenteritis, or inflammation of the stomach and intestines, leading to diarrhea, headache, fever, vomiting, nausea, and headache. According to UT Southwestern Medical Center. This can make a pregnant woman feel miserable. But the symptoms tend to go away within a week, and most of the time, they do not pose a major health risk to the pregnant woman or the baby.
However, “if you can’t keep anything down, even clear liquids, it’s time to see a doctor,” according to UT Southwestern. Your provider will want to make sure you are not dehydrated and rule out other medical emergencies that can lead to similar digestive symptoms. “Although fever is not usually a symptom of premature contractions, abdominal cramps and even diarrhea can be signs of premature labor,” the medical center says.
Once you have confirmed that you have norovirus and/or gastroenteritis, your doctor may recommend anti-diarrheal or anti-nausea medications for relief.
Norovirus treatment
Treating norovirus at home is the best course of action. Unfortunately, there is no specific medication for norovirus. There’s no vaccine either, says Dr. Love. However, a clinical trial is currently underway. Current treatment options usually include managing symptoms at home and focusing on fluid and electrolyte replacement to avoid dehydration.
Norovirus prevention
Dr. Adalja says good hand washing is key to protecting yourself from the spread of disease. Make sure to wash your hands with soap and water, rather than relying on alcohol-based hand sanitizer as a means of disinfection. Norovirus is what’s called a “non-enveloped virus, which means it doesn’t have a fatty covering like some other viruses,” Dr. Love says. Translation: Hand sanitizer is not an effective way to combat the virus.
Additionally, you can avoid getting sick by staying away from people with gastrointestinal symptoms and cleaning frequently touched surfaces (yes, some Lysol products can actually kill norovirus; According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency). Properly washing clothing and bedding for individuals who have recently become ill, and practicing good food and water hygiene is critical.
Alexis Jones (she/her) is the senior health and fitness editor at PS. During her six years of editorial experience, Alexis has developed a passion and areas of expertise around mental health, women’s health and fitness, racial and ethnic disparities in health care, and chronic conditions. Before joining PS, she was a senior editor at Health magazine. Her other bylines can be found in Women’s Health, Prevention, Marie Claire, and more.
