Norovirus is a virus that causes acute gastroenteritis, an infection of the digestive tract (stomach and intestine). Norovirus outbreaks occur in B.C. communities every year. Outbreaks occur year-round but are more common in the winter months. Outbreaks of illness are common in nursing homes, daycare centres, schools, children’s camps and on cruise ships.
Within 1 to 2 days of exposure to norovirus you may experience the following symptoms:
Other symptoms include nausea, cramping, chills and fever.
The illness usually begins suddenly and lasts for 1 to 3 days. Complications may occur if you lose too much fluid from vomiting and diarrhea and do not drink enough fluids. This is called dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration include less urination, dry mouth and throat, and dizziness. This is more common in babies and the elderly. Severe illness is very rare and hospital care is usually not needed.
Norovirus is found in the vomit and diarrhea of people who are sick. When someone vomits, people nearby may become infected by swallowing tiny droplets from the air.
The virus can also spread from surfaces like countertops or sink taps. The virus can survive for a long time on these surfaces if they are not cleaned. You can become ill when you touch these surfaces and then place your hands or fingers in your mouth.
The virus can also spread if an infected person does not wash their hands or if someone with this illness handles food, water or ice.
Some foods can be contaminated with the virus at their source. For example, shellfish may be contaminated by sewage water before they are harvested.
Medications are not usually used to treat norovirus. People infected with norovirus usually get better within a few days.
Antibiotics should not be taken for norovirus. Antibiotics only work to fight bacteria and not viruses.
It is important to drink enough clear fluids to avoid dehydration. Drink fluids such as water, juices, clear soups, or oral rehydration fluids for vomiting or diarrhea.
See a health care provider if diarrhea or vomiting lasts more than 2 or 3 days, or if dehydration is a concern.
There is no vaccine or medication that can prevent norovirus infection. You can get norovirus more than once. The best way to prevent infection is to stop the virus from spreading. To help stop the spread of the virus, follow these tips:
How to make a 1:50 (1,000 ppm) solution of bleach and water:
Add 20 ml of bleach to 1 litre of water and mix. Make sure you add the bleach solution to the water when preparing the solution, not vice versa.
Use B.C.’s FOODSAFE Chlorine Dilution Calculator tool to make the proper sanitizer strength based on the concentration of your bleach product www.foodsafe.ca/dilution-calculator.html
Caution: Mixing bleach with products that contain acid or ammonia makes a toxic gas that causes serious breathing problems, choking and potentially death.
If you are cleaning up vomit or diarrhea, follow these tips to reduce the risk of getting infected:
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