Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that infects over 267 million people around the world each year, from babies all the way to the elderly. Commonly referred to as “a stomach bug” or food poisoning, it’s one of the most common causes of viral gastroenteritis among the human population. In fact, you’ve probably had the virus a time or two in your lifetime.
The virus typically causes inflammation of the stomach and intestines, leading to symptoms such as nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting. A headache, weakness, body aches, or a low-grade fever may occur as well. Once a person comes into contact with the virus, symptoms usually develop within 12 to 48 hours afterwards.
Norovirus is so contagious because there are plenty of ways to come into contact with the microscopic virus germs. The main thing to remember is that the virus thrives in the digestive tract, so when someone has a bowel movement (regular or diarrhea), if he does not properly cleanse his hands, those germs will be there just waiting to be transferred to whatever he touches.
Oftentimes this is food, so what you have is food or drinks that are contaminated by infected fecal matter. For example, let’s say Joe has norovirus. He uses the bathroom and afterwards he does not wash his hands. If Joe prepares food for others, the microscopic norovirus germs can infect the items he touches, so whoever eats such foods can become infected as well. Then, they can spread the virus by the same type of behavior, or others can get it from them when they cough, vomit or by touching infected surfaces.
It can also be transmitted by you touching the surface of something that has the virus (like a bathroom faucet) and then you touch your nose or mouth. Essentially, you can “pick up” the virus from any surface or object where the germs are lingering.
Norovirus is highly contagious. The virus usually lasts between two to three days. There is no treatment for the virus, as it runs its course and goes away on its own. However, it is important to drink plenty of fluids like water so you do not become dehydrated from the vomiting or diarrhea.