Norovirus: What to Know

• Using the bathroom
• Direct contact with someone who’s sick (like helping a sick friend or loved one)
• Cleaning dirty clothes or linens
• Cleaning the house or space around a sick person

• Preparing food
• Eating food
• Drinking
• Putting in contacts
• Anything that requires touching your face
   

Gastroenteritis is an infection of the stomach and intestines. It is often called “stomach flu” although it is not actually caused by the influenza virus. 

Gastroenteritis can be caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites. The most common cause is a virus, often a virus called Norovirus. 

Symptoms can vary from person to person.  Most people experience two or more of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, headache, fever and muscle aches. Symptoms may last several hours to a couple of days with the average episode lasting about 24-48 hours. 

In a healthy college student, gastroenteritis is unpleasant, but usually not dangerous. Prolonged bouts of vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration and disruption in body chemistries.  Chronic diseases such as diabetes or kidney problems may put one at additional risk for complications. 

Gastroenteritis is easily passed on to others. It is important to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before preparing food and after using the bathroom. Hand sanitizers are not affective against some viruses, including the Norovirus.   

• Stay in your room and rest until symptoms subside
• Allow your stomach and intestines to settle down by not eating for a few hours
• Suck on ice chips or sip small amounts of clear fluids. Examples include water, diluted sports drinks, clear soups, tea with honey or sugar, Jello or popsicles
• After 4-8 hours, if clear liquids are staying down, progress to bland foods such as toast, applesauce, bananas, crackers, or plain rice. Gradually increase the amount and types of foods over the next day or so as tolerated. Avoid caffeine, fatty foods and alcohol for at least several days. Caffeine and alcohol can worsen dehydration.  Avoid acidic foods such as citrus fruits/juices and tomatoes. Since temporary lactose intolerance may occur after gastroenteritis, avoid milk and cheese for several days. 

If appropriate, your health care provider may recommend certain medications, tests or other treatments. Most cases or viral gastroenteritis will resolve with the self-care measures recommended above. 

Notify the Student Health Center for any of the following symptoms:

• You are not able to keep liquids down after 24 hours
• You have been vomiting for more than 2 days
• You have diarrhea for more than 3 days or without gradual improvement over 5 days
• You have other symptoms that worry you

Seek emergency care if:

• You have abdominal pain (other than mild cramping)
• You are vomiting blood
• You notice blood in your bowel movements
• You experience signs of dehydration such as excessive thirst, dry mouth, dark, very little or no urine, severe weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness
• You have a temperature of 101 or higher
• You are unable to take medications that you usually take

There are several things you can do to decrease sharing gastroenteritis with others such as:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water
• Don’t share eating utensils, drinking glasses, toothbrushes or other personal items
• Flush vomit and diarrhea with the toilet lid closed and clean area with bleach based cleaners
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth until you wash your hands
• Stay home when you’re sick