Norovirus

What is norovirus?

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause an intestinal illness. It might be referred to as the “stomach flu,” although this is different from the flu and is not affected by the flu vaccine. These viruses cause infection outbreaks in closed and crowded environments, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and cruise ships. The incubation period for norovirus infection is usually 24 to 48 hours after first exposure to the virus, and signs and symptoms usually last one to five days.

How is norovirus spread?

You can contract a norovirus infection by touching or ingesting anything contaminated with the virus, which is shed in the feces and vomit of infected human or animal. Noroviruses are highly contagious, and can be spread by: eating contaminated food, drinking contaminated water, ingesting infected mucus or breathing airborne norovirus particles, touching your hand to your mouth after your hand has been in contact with a contaminated surface or object, or having close contact with an infected person and then transmitting the virus from your hands to your mouth. Noroviruses are difficult to eradicate because they can withstand hot and cold temperatures as well as most disinfectants.

What are the symptoms?

A person with a norovirus infection may experience: nausea, abdominal pain or cramps, watery or loose diarrhea, weight loss, malaise, or a low-grade fever. Some people with norovirus infection may show no signs or symptoms. However, they may continue to shed the virus in their feces for several days up to several weeks following infection, potentially infecting other people.

How is norovirus treated?

There’s no specific treatment for norovirus infection, and recovery depends on the health of your immune system. For most generally healthy people, the illness usually resolves within a few days. In severe cases of norovirus, try to replace lost fluids and alleviate symptoms of severe diarrhea and vomiting. Drink hydrating fluids such as Gatorade and Sprite, and avoid caffeinated beverages.

If you work in a food-handling job or with children or people with suppressed immune systems, wait to return to work until 72 hours after your symptoms have stopped, so that you avoid infecting other people.

If you are a current Wheaton College student experiencing norovirus symptoms, please call or come to SHS to verify your symptoms. Do NOT eat at the cafeteria. SHS can give you meal tickets. Do not go to class.

Can norovirus be prevented?

Norovirus infection is highly contagious. Follow these suggestions to help prevent norovirus infection from spreading:

• Practice good hygiene, including thorough hand washing. Wash your hands before eating.
• Don’t consume water and food that may be contaminated. Throw out any food you suspect may be contaminated.
• Disinfect virus-contaminated areas (toilets, sinks, door handles, etc.) with a solution of detergent and chlorine bleach.
• If you live in a residence hall with community bathrooms, talk to your Resident Assistant about designating one “stall” for sick students.
• Routinely disinfect surfaces and furniture in common areas, such as lobbies and dining rooms. Where possible, allow bleach to stay on surfaces longer than 10 minutes.
• Ask a Resident Life Staff member for assistance to clean up vomit.
• Avoid consuming raw shellfish, which may have been harvested from infected waters.
• Avoid contact sports if you have acute gastroenteritis.

More information

To learn more, please visit the CDC website: https://www.cdc.gov/norovirus/