Norovirus in Healthcare Settings

General Information about Norovirus

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause gastroenteritis [gas-trō-en-ter-ī-tis] in people. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach and intestines, causing an acute onset of severe vomiting and diarrhea. Norovirus illness is usually brief in people who are otherwise healthy. Young children, the elderly, and people with other medical illnesses are most at risk for more severe or prolonged infection. Like all viral infections, noroviruses are not affected by treatment with antibiotics. Norovirus infections spread very rapidly. Healthcare facilities and other institutional settings (e.g., daycare centers, schools, etc.) are particularly at-risk for outbreaks because of increased person-to-person contact.

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Symptoms of Norovirus

The symptoms of norovirus illness usually include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. Sometimes people also have a low-grade fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and tiredness. People may suddenly feel very sick and vomit frequently or have several episodes of diarrhea, but most people get better within 1 or 2 days and they have no long-term health effects related to their illness. Diarrhea is more common in children and vomiting is more common in adults.

In some cases, people are unable to drink enough liquids to replace the liquids they lost because of frequent vomiting and diarrhea. This is called dehydration—the loss of a great deal of water from their body. Symptoms of dehydration include decreased urination, dry mouth and throat, and dizziness when standing up. In these cases, patients may be hospitalized and often given fluids through a tube placed in a vein.

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Transmission of Norovirus

Noroviruses are found in the feces and vomit of infected people. This virus is very contagious and can spread rapidly throughout healthcare facilities. People can become infected with the virus in several ways:

Having direct contact with another person who is infected (a healthcare worker, visitor, or another patient)
Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus
Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus, and then touching your mouth or other food items

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Prevention of Norovirus

In a healthcare facility, patients with suspected norovirus may be placed in private rooms or share rooms with other patients with the same infection. Additional prevention measures in healthcare facilities can decrease the chance of coming in contact with noroviruses:

Follow hand-hygiene guidelines, and carefully washing of hands with soap and water after contact with patients with norovirus infection
Use gowns and gloves when in contact with, or caring for patients who are symptomatic with norovirus
Routinely clean and disinfect high touch patient surfaces and equipment with an Environmental Protection Agency-approved product with a label claim for norovirus
Remove and wash contaminated clothing or linens
Healthcare workers who have symptoms consistent with norovirus should be excluded from work