Norovirus Fact Sheet - Kent County, Michigan

General Public Fact SheetKent County Health DepartmentNorovirus Fact SheetWhat are noroviruses?Noroviruses are a group of viruses thatcause the “stomach flu”. In the past, theywere known as “Norwalk-like viruses”.How do you get an infection?Noroviruses are found in the stool or vomitof infected people. People can becomeinfected several ways:• Eating food or drinking liquids thatare contaminated with norovirus• Touching contaminated surfaces orobjects, and then placing their handin their mouth• Having direct contact with someonewho is sick and showing symptoms• Droplets in the air from vomitus thatenter the mouth, eyes or noseWhat are the symptoms?Common symptoms include:• Nausea• Vomiting• Diarrhea• Stomach crampsOther symptoms may include:• Headache• Fever• Chills• Muscle achesHow soon do symptoms start?The illness often starts very suddenly.Symptoms usually begin 24 to 48 hoursafter picking up the virus, but can appear assoon as 12 hours after exposure. Theillness is usually brief with symptomsusually lasting one or two days.How serious is norovirusinfection?Norovirus infection is usually not serious,although people may feel very sick andvomit many times a day. Sometimes peopleare unable to drink enough liquids toreplace the liquids they lost because ofvomiting and diarrhea. These people canget dehydrated and may need specialmedical attention. People most at risk are:• Very young• Elderly• Those with weakened immunesystemsAre noroviruses contagious?They are very contagious. They can spreadeasily from person to person.How long is an infected personinfectious to others?People infected with norovirus arecontagious from the moment they beginfeeling sick to at least three days afterrecovery. Some people may be contagiousfor as long as two weeks after recovery.How is an infection treated?An infection cannot be treated withantibiotics. This is because antibiotics donot kill viruses.Currently, there is no antiviral medicationthat works against norovirus and no vaccineto prevent infection.How can norovirus infections beprevented?You can lower your chance of coming incontact with noroviruses by:

Norovirus Fact Sheet – page 2• Washing your hands often,especially after using the bathroom,changing diapers, and before makingor eating food• Washing fruits and vegetables beforeeating• Steaming oysters before eating• Thoroughly cleaning anddisinfecting contaminated surfacesright after someone is sick by using ableach-based household cleaner• Making sure anyone with diarrhea,especially children, wash their handscarefully and often with soap tolower the risk of spreading theinfection• Removing and washing clothing,sheets or towels that may becontaminated with virus aftersomeone is sick• Flushing any vomitus and/or stooldown the toilet and making sure thesurrounding area is kept cleanPeople with norovirus should not makefood while they have symptoms and forthree days after they recover from theirillness to prevent spreading the infection.This fact sheet is for information only and isnot meant to be used for self-diagnosis or as asubstitute for talking with a health careprovider. If you have any questions aboutnorovirus or think you may have it, call yourhealth care provider.©2004 Kent County Health Department700 Fuller Ave NEGrand Rapids, Michigan 49503616/632-7100www.accesskent.com