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Prevention
By Mayo Clinic staffNorovirus infection is highly contagious. Follow these suggestions to help prevent norovirus infection from spreading:
- Wash your hands. Thorough hand-washing, especially after using the toilet or changing a diaper, can reduce the risk of transmission.
- Avoid contaminated food and water. Don't eat shellfish that may have come from contaminated waters. Throw out any food that may have been prepared by someone who was sick.
- Disinfect virus-contaminated areas. Use a chlorine bleach solution. Where possible, allow bleach to stay on surfaces longer than 10 minutes.
- Stay home from work. This is especially important if you work in a food-handling job. You may be contagious as long as three days after your symptoms end.
References
- Norovirus: Technical fact sheet. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/norovirus-factsheet.htm. Accessed Feb. 21, 2011.
- Kapikian AZ. Rotaviruses, noroviruses and other gastrointestinal viruses. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/191371208-2/0/1492/0.html#. Accessed Feb 21, 2011.
- Treanor JJ. Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and diagnosis of noroviruses, astroviruses and sapoviruses. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 21, 2011.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, et al. Managing acute gastroenteritis among children: Oral rehydration, maintenance, and nutritional therapy. MMWR. 2003;52:1. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5216a1.htm. Accessed Feb. 23, 2011.
- Norovirus illness: Key facts. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/gastro/norovirus-keyfacts.htm. Accessed Feb. 22, 2011.
- Canavan A, et al. Diagnosis and management of dehydration in children. American Family Physician. 2009;80:692.
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