Norovirus
What is norovirus?
Norovirus is a virus that causes diarrhea and vomiting in people. Some people mistakenly call it “the stomach flu.”
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of norovirus usually start within 12 to 48 hours after exposure, but can happen as early as 10 hours after exposure. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhea, and stomach cramps. Some people may have a fever, chills, headache and muscle aches. For most people, the illness is brief, lasting only a few days.
How is norovirus spread?
Noroviruses are highly contagious and spread easily from person to person. The virus is found in the stool and vomit of infected people. People become infected in several ways, including:
- Direct contact with someone who is infected or taking care of an infected person
- Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus and then putting their hands in their mouths
- Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus
- Inhaling virus released when an infected person vomits.
People who have norovirus are contagious from the moment they begin feeling ill to at least 48 hours after symptoms end.