Sometimes called acute gastroenteritis or viral gastroenteritis, the infection is tremendously contagious, hence its nickname for its propensity to sicken an entire group in a confined space -- like an ocean liner -- quickly.
The norovirus strikes without a lot of warning. It usually announces itself with vomiting or severe diarrhea that arrives about 24 to 48 hours after you catch it. Once you have it, expect three days of misery, with vomiting and diarrhea accompanied by severe abdominal pain, general weakness and aches.
Most people recover with minimal intervention that includes rest and over-the-counter medications. But the elderly, people who are already ill with an underlying condition, and small children – can be particularly at risk. Dehydration and mineral depletion from diarrhea and vomiting can take its toll on these vulnerable groups, sometimes requiring more intensive medical attention.
Because the virus seems to strike enclosed areas – cruise ships, nursing homes, hospitals, schools and hotels – getting it is a matter of avoiding the wrong place at the wrong time. Consuming contaminated food or water, touching your mouth or nasal passages after contact with contamination, or physical contact with a person who already has the norovirus are three ways the virus spreads.
Once it can be transmitted, it’s a hard virus to corral. The bug is resistant to hot and cold temperatures, and a lot of disinfectants have no effect on it. Thus, it thrives until its shelf life expires, bringing a parade of misery to those who encounter it.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that 19 million to 21 million are infected with the norovirus each year. This causes 1.7 million to 1.9 million outpatient visits and 400,000 emergency room drop-ins, the latter being mostly young children.
The CDC estimates severe cases cause 56,000-71,000 hospitalizations and roughly 570-800 deaths annually, with the expiring patients mostly children and elderly admissions.
The norovirus thrives year-round, but is most common during the winter months. It’s also constantly changing, and new strains of the virus appear and can double the rate of cases. The CDC estimate that people average about five norovirus infections in a lifetime, so be prepared.
The norovirus usually finds its way into the food chain through the touch of a person who has been in contact with vomit or other discharges from someone who already has the disease. It can be transmitted from there to food when handlers are infected. It can also exist on most produce and shellfish and can be found on surfaces like handrails, elevator buttons, desktops and chairs.
Preventing Norovirus
Although there’s no surefire way to avoid the virus, there are several things you can do to minimize your chances of contracting it.
1) WASH YOUR HANDS: Those signs in the restroom aren’t just for employees. Make sure you wash your hands frequently for 30 seconds or more with hot water and plenty of soap. You must be thorough because a quick rinse with a little bit of soap may miss spots. This is particularly important for those who prepare food or have just used the bathroom, two of the more likely spots that can harbor the virus. An alcohol hand sanitizer is also effective.
2) CLEAN AND DISINFECT: If you are ill, take a break from normal household chores and leave the cleaning to someone else. If you are caring for a patient, be sure to disinfect and thoroughly clean any surfaces that may have been stained by diarrhea or vomiting. Bleach is the recommended cleaner for any surface, as well as food preparation areas. Make sure you carefully dispose of the cleaning towels or any other goods that come into contact with the infected areas.
3) FOOD MUST BE WATCHED: You should always thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables before you prepare them for your family, particularly if the produce came from a foreign country (it’s best to wear gloves when doing this). Also be careful when cooking shellfish. When it doubt, throw it out. It may appear wasteful, but it’s better to be safe than contaminated.
4) ISOLATE ILL PATIENTS: On cruise ships, those infected with the norovirus are usually confined to their cabins, and so it must be at your home. Make sure those afflicted are in their beds getting plenty of rest and are thoroughly hydrated. Having them watch television with the family may be a nice gesture, but it can help spread the contamination. People who contract the norovirus are contagious
from the moment they fall ill until a few days after recovery. Some cases may linger, and people can spread the infection even if they’re up and about.
5) LAUNDER CAREFULLY: Thoroughly clean linens and clothing that may have been in contact with an infected person. When removing them for cleaning, wear gloves and try not to shake any material that has been touched by vomit or diarrhea. After you have them in the washing machine, use the maximum wash timer and then maximum drying time. Wash your hands thoroughly, even if you were wearing gloves during the actions, and by all means, carefully dispose of any gloves that have come in contact with vomit or diarrhea.
Keep in mind that November through April are the high season for the norovirus, which is not to be confused with its kissing cousin, the influenza virus, a respiratory illness. If you follow the proper precautions, you likely can avoid many of the most common causes of outbreaks.