The stomach bug is in the air—here's what to know about norovirus 2024
Plus, tips to keep it away.
Credit:
Getty Images / Kateryna Onyshchuk
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If your intestines have twisted into knots and you find yourself sitting on the porcelain throne more often, you might wonder if something’s in the water—and there very well could be. As we enter spring, cases of norovirus are beginning to rise, including an outbreak on a cruise ship.
You may know norovirus by its more common name “the stomach flu.” Whether this clarification makes norovirus more or less scary, we’re here to help you stave off sickness this season. Here’s everything you need to know about the norovirus, including symptoms and tips to stay safe based on Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance.
What is norovirus?
Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. It is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States. You may know norovirus as “the stomach bug” or “the stomach flu.”
Norovirus symptoms 2024
The most common symptoms of norovirus are diarrhea, vomiting, stomach pain, and nausea. Less common symptoms include fever, headaches, and body aches. Furthermore, vomiting and having diarrhea can lead to dehydration, too.
Symptoms usually last from one to three days.
How does norovirus spread?
You can contract norovirus by being in close contact with someone who has it. This can happen if you eat food that’s been handled by them, take care of them, or share utensils. Norovirus can also spread by eating or drinking something that’s contaminated with the virus or by touching a surface contaminated with norovirus and then touching parts of your face.
Can norovirus be treated?
Unlike the likes of influenza or COVID-19, there is no vaccine for norovirus. Likewise, there are no treatments for norovirus itself; only its symptoms. That said, there are ways to mitigate your chances of getting sick.
How to protect yourself from norovirus
Wash your hands often
Norovirus can spread from touching your mouth with your hands after they’ve come in contact with the virus. While you might try to avoid getting sick by simply keeping your fingers out of your mouth, having an extra layer of protection by washing your hands will make staying healthy that much easier.
To thoroughly wash your hands, you’ll have to lather them with soap for 20 seconds before rinsing them with warm water. The CDC notes that hand sanitizer does not work well against norovirus.
Wear gloves
For even more hand protection, wear disposable gloves when you’re cleaning up after someone with norovirus. The best disposable gloves we’ve tested are the Venom Steel Nitrile Gloves thanks to their durability and comfortability.
Clean dishes
Likewise, another thing you can do if you’re caring for a loved one who has norovirus is to thoroughly clean their dishes with a quality dish soap such as our favorite, Dawn Ultra. It cleans tough stains right off with a fruity fragrance, to boot. You can eliminate the need to handle infected dishes by using disposable plates throughout the duration of someone’s norovirus sickness.
Keep norovirus at bay with our favorite dish detergent.
You won't have to worry about washing dishes when you use disposable plates.
Disinfect high-contact surfaces
Another way to protect yourself from norovirus is to disinfect high-contact surfaces around your home before the virus has a chance to get on your hands. This includes TV remotes, doorknobs, and light switches, to name a few. You can do this with disinfectant wipes or spray, making sure to let the wiped area sit for at least 10 minutes to fully kill the virus.
Wash fruits and vegetables
Norovirus can also spread by eating unwashed food, so another way to avoid getting sick is by thoroughly rinsing your produce. Using a colander will make this easier. Our favorite colander is this one sold by OXO because it stays in place, is easy to hold and, most importantly, it has good drainage.
Make sure your produce is washed before eating.
Drink lots of water
There are many reasons why drinking water is a good idea when dealing with norovirus. For one, drinking your own water will mitigate the risk of contracting the virus by drinking contaminated water. If you’re feeling under the weather, drinking water may help you figure out whether or not you have norovirus, as the norovirus and dehydration share many symptoms including vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain. Finally, if the worst should come to pass and you do get sick, staying hydrated will speed up your recovery and make it less excruciating.
We recommend using our favorite water bottle, the Owala Freesip, for your water sipping needs. The Owala keeps water cool for 24 hours, has multiple methods to drink, and has a spill-proof lid.
Stay hydrated with our favorite water bottle.
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