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From the common cold to strep throat, there are a lot of viruses and bacteria that can spread from person to person. Norovirus isn’t any different – it’s a group of viruses that can be very easily spread and is often the cause of outbreaks of illness, especially in large group settings.
Although there are times of the year when norovirus outbreaks are more common, it’s not considered “seasonal” like the common cold or influenza. It can occur at any time and in any setting, especially if precautions aren’t taken to help prevent it.
Here, we’ll explain when a norovirus infection is considered an outbreak, and why and how outbreaks occur. We’ll also go over where norovirus outbreaks commonly occur, ways to prevent norovirus and how to protect yourself from infection during and after an outbreak.
Norovirus infections are considered an outbreak when two or more people experience similar symptoms from a common exposure. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that there are an average of 2,500 norovirus outbreaks reported in the U.S. each year.
While you can become infected with norovirus anywhere or at any time of the year, outbreaks more commonly occur in countries north of the equator between November and April, and between April and September in countries that are in the southern hemisphere.
Norovirus symptoms usually occur just 12-48 hours after you become infected, but it is possible to experience symptoms as soon as 10 hours after infection. Common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea, stomach cramping and vomiting.
There is no vaccine to prevent a norovirus infection, and the only way to get rid of an infection is to let your immune system clear it naturally.
Norovirus is a group of viruses that can cause gastroenteritis, which is an inflammation of the stomach and intestines, leading to uncomfortable symptoms. While most viruses and bacterial infections are contagious, the way norovirus spreads makes it one of the most contagious and common causes of illness outbreaks in the U.S.
Outbreaks of norovirus usually occur in settings where there are a lot of people in close, crowded settings, sharing breathing space, bathrooms, serving utensils, bedding and other contaminated surfaces and objects. In the U.S., health care facilities like hospitals or long-term care facilities have a higher risk of norovirus outbreaks, but they can also occur at daycares, schools, restaurants, catered events and cruise ships.
Norovirus is the leading cause of temporary vomiting and diarrhea in the U.S., and it’s also the leading cause of food-borne illnesses. Anyone can get norovirus, but some people, including children under five and adults over 85, can experience more serious symptoms.
Norovirus can spread easily by:
Because norovirus spreads most easily where there are a lot of people in close contact and settings where food is prepared, there are specific places to take extra precautions. And because some foods can naturally carry norovirus, it’s important to keep an eye on what and where you eat.
Hospitals and long-term health care facilities are at higher risk of norovirus outbreaks because they have several risk factors that are unique to their environments. This is why hospitals and other health care facilities have strict hygiene protocols in place to reduce risk of an illness outbreak. Some of the risk factors can include:
While outbreaks at daycare facilities and schools are less common than in care facilities, they can happen for a few reasons:
People are usually in close contact with one another in these settings, making for easy transmission. However, improper food preparation and even some foods can also contribute to an outbreak. This is why proper handwashing is part of a restaurant staff’s standard operating procedure. Risk factors include:
While outbreaks on cruise ships are usually widely reported, they don’t happen as commonly as you may think. But they can still occur due to:
If you get a norovirus infection, the virus is present in your body – in particular, your stool – before you experience any symptoms. So, you can pass the virus on to others but not as easily as when you start experiencing symptoms.
When your symptoms start, you’re considered contagious from the time you start feeling sick until three days after your symptoms stop. However, the virus can be found for up to two weeks in the stool of some infected people, meaning they’re still considered contagious even if they’re no longer experiencing symptoms.
Although the virus can be found after symptoms resolve, there’s no need to quarantine yourself for any more than three days after your symptoms stop. While it’s not as easily spread without symptoms, you should still take precautions by washing your hands frequently, as that’s the best way to prevent norovirus.
According to the CDC, it is possible to develop immunity against certain strains of norovirus. However, immunity against one type doesn’t mean you’ll be protected against others, so if you’ve been infected with one strain of norovirus before, you can become infected again with a different strain.
Also, it’s not known exactly how long immunity lasts, so it’s possible to become reinfected with the same strain again in the future.
As with any illness, it’s not possible to completely protect yourself from infection. But there are plenty of precautions you can take to lessen your chances of getting sick.
Hands are the most common way germs are spread, so proper and frequent handwashing with warm, soapy water is the most effective way to help you avoid a norovirus infection.
Don’t forget to wash your hands after you use the bathroom, help someone else use the bathroom or change a diaper, and always wash your hands before preparing food and eating. Interestingly, hand sanitizer has been shown to be less effective for norovirus, so when there’s an option, always choose traditional hand washing.
Since norovirus can also come from food contaminated with the virus, you should always practice safe food handling methods:
One of the reasons norovirus spreads so easily is because it’s hard to kill. The virus can survive on surfaces for up to a month. It’s also less susceptible to heat than other viruses. But the norovirus has its weak spot – bleach. Bleach kills norovirus.
When cleaning and disinfecting your home of norovirus, it’s important to take precautions. The following tips are recommended:
If you’re aware of a norovirus outbreak or know someone who has it, isolate yourself as best you can. If you’re sick, stay at home to avoid spreading the illness. If you have to be in close contact with someone who you know is sick, wash your hands frequently and consider wearing a mask for three days after their symptoms have resolved.
During an outbreak, you may want to avoid the norovirus hotspots we mentioned above and others, including hospitals/care facilities, camps, restaurants, schools, cruise ships and airplanes.
Part of the fun of traveling, whether by cruise ship or other means, is learning new cultures and trying new cuisines. You can have your baklava and eat it too, if you’re careful about norovirus. Stay safe by following these tips:
The risk of getting a nasty stomach bug like norovirus shouldn’t keep you from going on vacation or seeing the world. Exercise a little more caution and you should be fine.
Norovirus will usually clear up within a few days and doesn’t usually require a trip to the doctor. However, for some people, especially children, older adults and people with compromised immune systems, symptoms might be more severe or linger for longer than a typical norovirus infection.
If you’re experiencing dizziness along with feeling faint or a fainting spell, have someone bring you to urgent care or the emergency room as this can be a sign of dehydration. If you haven’t urinated in six hours or can’t keep fluids down because you’re vomiting, a trip to urgent care for rehydration may be a good idea. If you’ve lost consciousness or your mental status is altered, go to the emergency room.