Norovirus has been popping up in the news cycle lately with recent outbreaks on cruise ships and college campuses. Thomas Walsh, MD, infectious disease expert and medical director of the antimicrobial stewardship program at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, recently discussed norovirus and infection prevention strategies with The Tribune-Review.
Noroviruses are a highly contagious group of viruses that cause acute gastroenteritis — symptoms include nausea, vomiting and nonbloody, watery diarrhea. Symptoms typically last for up to three days. As few as 20 virus particles can result in infection, and the virus is most typically spread through the consumption of food or water accidentally contaminated with residual fecal matter from an infected person.
Here are three precautionary measures to help avoid norovirus infection, relayed by Dr. Walsh:
1. Practice good hand hygiene. Wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet, changing diapers and prior to handling food.
2. Thoroughly wash all produce before cooking or serving.
3. Use disposable or rubber gloves when handling soiled materials that could be potentially contaminated and wash the materials with detergent and machine dry afterward.
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