What is norovirus and how contagious is it?
Symptoms of the virus include diarrhea and vomiting and it infects about 684 million people globally every year
TL;DR
- Norovirus causes infectious gastroenteritis with symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting.
- It is highly contagious and spreads through contaminated food, water, or surfaces via the fecal-oral route.
- Symptoms include abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and watery diarrhea, usually resolving within three days.
- Infectious particles can remain viable on surfaces for up to two weeks.
- Vulnerable populations like the elderly, young children, and immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk for severe illness and dehydration.
- Hand sanitizers are ineffective against norovirus; frequent and thorough handwashing with soap and water is crucial for prevention.
- Cleaning contaminated surfaces with diluted bleach or hydrogen peroxide is recommended.
- There is no vaccine for norovirus due to its numerous strains and frequent mutations.