11/04/25 Public Health Education Topic: Norovirus

Per CDC:

Key points

• Norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea, and foodborne illness in the United States.

• People of all ages can get infected and sick with norovirus.

• Proper handwashing and other simple steps can help prevent getting and spreading norovirus.

Signs and symptoms

A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to norovirus.

• Most common symptoms: Diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, stomach pain

• Other symptoms: Fever, headache, and body aches

  
  

Dehydration

If you have norovirus illness, you can feel extremely ill, and vomit or have diarrhea many times a day. This can lead to dehydration (loss of body fluids), especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses. Symptoms of dehydration include:

• Decreased urination

• Dry mouth and throat

• Feeling dizzy when standing up

• Crying with few or no tears

• Unusual sleepiness or fussiness

How it spreads

Norovirus spreads very easily and quickly in different ways. You can get norovirus by:

• Having direct contact with someone with norovirus, like caring for them, sharing food or eating utensils with them, or eating food handled by them.

• Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus.

• Touching contaminated objects or surfaces and then putting your unwashed fingers in your mouth.

You can still spread norovirus for 2 weeks or more after you feel better.

Keep Reading: How Norovirus Spreads

Prevention

Norovirus is very contagious, but you can take steps to protect yourself and others, including:

• Wash your hands well and often.

• Cook shellfish thoroughly and wash fruits and vegetables.

• Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces.

• Wash laundry in hot water.

• Stay home when sick for 2 days (48 hours) after symptoms stop.

Keep Reading: How to Prevent Norovirus

To learn more visit: About Norovirus | Norovirus | CDC