An infection of the Norovirus can cause a host of unpleasant symptoms. You could experience vomiting or diarrhea seemingly out of nowhere. It's a highly contagious virus. Norovirus typically spreads through water or food that becomes contaminated when it comes into contact with a contaminated surface or through contaminated preparation. If you come into contact with someone who has this virus, they can quickly spread it to you.Abdominal pain, vomiting, and diarrhea usually start to occur between 24 and 48 hours after you come into contact with it. These symptoms can last anywhere from one to three days and have varying severity levels. However, most people recover on their own without needing any additional treatment or medical intervention. The elderly, infants or people with compromised immune systems are more prone to getting dehydrated and needing medical care when they get the Norovirus infection.
You typically see Norovirus outbreaks in elderly care centers, schools, hospitals, child care centers, or anywhere that has a lot of people in an enclosed space. This virus is very hard to get rid of because it doesn't respond to hot or cold environments or disinfectants. Additionally, the virus lives in your feces for up to two weeks after your symptoms disappear and this can stretch to months if you have an underlying condition. People can show no signs of having the virus and still spread it as well.There are several preventative measures that you can take to reduce or stop the spread of Norovirus. They include things like washing your hands thoroughly after you use the bathroom, washing your fruits or vegetables, disinfected contaminated areas, disposing of any fecal matter or vomit carefully, and avoiding contaminated water or food. The six most common Norovirus symptoms are listed below.
