Norovirus Information

• Norovirus Gastroenteritis

Norovirus gastroenteritis ("stomach flu") is a contagious illness that can cause diarrhea and vomiting. This eMedTV article discusses norovirus gastroenteritis in more detail, including information about how it is transmitted, treated, and prevented.

• Cause of Norovirus Gastroenteritis

The cause of norovirus gastroenteritis is an infection with a norovirus, a highly contagious virus. This eMedTV article discusses the group of viruses that cause norovirus gastroenteritis, and links to additional resources.

• Norovirus

A norovirus is a highly contagious virus that can cause what is often called "stomach flu." This page of the eMedTV Web site explains this virus in detail, including how it is transmitted, the illnesses it may cause, and more.

• Norovirus Transmission

As discussed in this eMedTV article, norovirus transmission can occur in several ways. In perhaps the most common way of getting a norovirus, transmission occurs when a person eats or drinks contaminated food or liquid.

• Norovirus Incubation Period

As this eMedTV Web page explains, the norovirus incubation period is the time from when a person is first infected to when symptoms begin to appear. This article discusses the incubation period following a norovirus infection in more detail.

• Norovirus Symptoms

If a person gets a norovirus, symptoms of the infection may include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. This eMedTV article discusses these and other possible signs and symptoms of a norovirus infection, such as chills, low-grade fever, and headache.

• Norovirus Diagnosis

As explained in this eMedTV segment, a norovirus diagnosis usually involves a physical exam. In the event of an outbreak of norovirus (or other special circumstances), blood and stool tests may be used to diagnose a norovirus infection.

• Norovirus Treatment

As discussed in this eMedTV segment, there is no medicine that can kill a norovirus; treatment of a norovirus involves relieving symptoms (such as dehydration) while the body fights the infection.

• Norovirus Prognosis

The typical norovirus infection lasts 1 to 2 days and causes no long-term health problems. This eMedTV article discusses factors affecting a norovirus prognosis and explains who may be at risk for more serious problems resulting from the infection.

• Norovirus Prevention

The best norovirus prevention methods involve reducing your chances of coming into contact with norovirus. This eMedTV article offers suggestions for preventing norovirus infection, such as washing your hands frequently.

• Norovirus and Food Handlers

It's easy for people to transmit a norovirus, and food handlers present a special risk. This eMedTV resource looks at how a norovirus can be spread by food handlers and discusses steps that can help prevent transmission of such a virus.

• Norovirus Statistics

Norovirus statistics cited in this eMedTV segment indicate that more than half of reported cases are foodborne in origin. This article contains other statistics concerning the most common settings in which norovirus outbreaks occur.