Norovirus Prevention: How to Stop the Spread and Stay Safe

When you hear norovirus, a highly contagious virus that causes severe vomiting and diarrhea. It's also known as the stomach flu, though it has nothing to do with the flu virus. This bug spreads fast—in schools, nursing homes, cruise ships, and even your own kitchen. It takes just a few virus particles to make someone sick, and people can keep spreading it for days after they feel better.

hand hygiene, the most effective defense against norovirus. It's not just about washing your hands—it's about washing them the right way. Soap and water for at least 20 seconds, scrubbing under nails and between fingers, is far more effective than hand sanitizer. Alcohol-based gels don't kill norovirus well, so skip the quick spray and actually wash. Then there's food safety, a major source of outbreaks. If someone with norovirus handles food—even after they feel fine—they can contaminate everything from salads to sandwiches. Cook shellfish thoroughly, wash fruits and veggies, and never prepare food if you're sick or just got over it. Surfaces matter too. The virus lives on doorknobs, countertops, and toilets for days. Bleach-based cleaners are the only reliable way to kill it on surfaces. Regular disinfectants? Often useless.

Norovirus doesn't care if you're healthy or not. It hits kids, seniors, and everyone in between. The real danger isn't the illness itself—it's how easily it spreads. One person vomiting in a restaurant can trigger an outbreak affecting dozens. That's why prevention isn't optional. It's the only way to stop the chain.

Below, you'll find real advice from trusted medical sources on how to protect yourself, what to do if someone in your home gets sick, and which common mistakes make outbreaks worse. No fluff. Just what works.