What is norovirus gastroenteritis

Noroviruses are usually spread from one infected person to another. Noroviruses are often associated with outbreaks where people are in close living spaces, such as Aged-care facilities, hospitals, cruise ships and community sporting events. There are different ways in which people become infected: eating food or drink that is contaminated with norovirus.

This can occur in two ways: when the food may become contaminated during growing or processing, especially oysters when a person who is ill prepares food for other people. When do symptoms begin? Symptoms of vomiting, nausea and diarrhoea usually begin 24—48 hours after ingestion of the virus, but they can appear as early as 12 hours after someone is exposed to the virus.

Top of Page Are noroviruses contagious? Yes, noroviruses are highly contagious. People infected with norovirus can spread the virus from the day they start to feel ill to at least 2 days after diarrhoea or vomiting stops. Who gets norovirus? Anyone can become infected with norovirus. Therefore, you can get norovirus more than once during your lifetime. Is there any treatment available? No specific medication or antibiotics exists for norovirus infection and there is no vaccine available.

When people are ill with diarrhoea or vomiting they should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration. Do you think you have the stomach flu or a stomach bug?

The most common symptoms of norovirus are:. Other symptoms include:. Symptoms of dehydration include: decrease in urination dry mouth and throat feeling dizzy when standing up. Related Links. Links with this icon indicate that you are leaving the CDC website. Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.

You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link. However, they are still contagious and can spread the virus to others. Seek medical attention if you develop diarrhea that doesn't go away within several days. Also, call your doctor if you have severe vomiting, bloody stools, stomach pain or dehydration. Noroviruses are highly contagious and are shed in the feces of infected humans and animals.

You can get norovirus by:. Noroviruses are difficult to kill off because they can withstand hot and cold temperatures and most disinfectants. For most people, norovirus infection usually clears up within a few days and isn't life-threatening.

But in some people — especially children, older adults and people with compromised immune systems — norovirus infection can cause dehydration. Norovirus infection can cause severe dehydration, malnutrition and even death, especially in people who are older or immunocompromised, or in women who are pregnant.

Children who are dehydrated might cry with few or no tears. They might be unusually sleepy or fussy. Norovirus infection is highly contagious, and anyone can become infected more than once. To help prevent its spread:.

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