Say No to Norovirus
Highly contagious, this virus passes between people easily and can spread very quickly. You may know it as the “stomach bug” or “stomach flu,” but the correct term for this virus is norovirus.
Do You Have Norovirus?
Not related to the flu, norovirus typically lasts one to three days and most people recover without treatment. The most common symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, headache, nausea, and stomach pain. Norovirus is one of the leading causes of viral gastroenteritis worldwide and responsible for substantial morbidity, mortality and healthcare costs.
Norovirus is a very hardy virus that can survive temperature extremes but it exhibits strong seasonality with over half of cases occurring in winter months. Consequently, norovirus is more readily transmitted in colder temperatures and may be facilitated by increased rainfall.
How Does Norovirus Spread?
Patients with norovirus can shed billions of microscopic infectious particles in the environment rapidly, making others sick with just a few norovirus particles. The CDC cautions that noroviruses and many other viruses such as the coronavirus can be transmitted from person to person, usually after close contact with an infected patient suffering from coughing, sneezing that produces infected droplets from secretions of the mouth or nose. It also can spread by touching contaminated surfaces or objects such as doorknobs, having direct contact with infected people, consuming contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces and then putting your unwashed hands in your mouth.
Norovirus can be found in vomit or feces even before symptoms begin. The virus can also stay in feces for two weeks or more after symptoms ease. It is important to continue washing hands often during this time.
How to Fight Norovirus
Controlling outbreaks of norovirus infection within institutions such as residential facilities, restaurants, hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools, and child care settings can be aided by washing the hands often and thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom, changing a diaper, and before eating, preparing, or handling food.
+SaniWash® Antimicrobial Hand Soap uses PCMX for antimicrobial action and has aloe vera for added moisture with each use. The SaniWash® aids in reducing the risk of cross-contamination while helping meet APIC and OSHA hand washing recommendations. You can use alcohol-based hand sanitizers in addition to hand washing, but you should not use hand sanitizer as a substitute for washing your hands with soap and water. +Safetec hand sanitizer contains 66.5% ethyl alcohol.
After someone vomits or has diarrhea, clean and disinfect the entire surface area immediately using an EPA-registered (List G) surface disinfectant. Ensure norovirus is listed in the kill claims, paying particular attention to kill or contact time (the amount of time the surface needs to be wet to be effective).
+SaniZide Pro 1® Surface Disinfectant Spray and +SaniZide Pro 1® Disinfectant Wipes are a ready-to-use broad spectrum, EPA-registered surface disinfectant that combines cleaning and disinfecting in one simple step. With its alcohol-based hospital-grade formula and true one-minute kill claims for 48 microorganisms, including norovirus, SaniZide Pro 1® is safe and effective for any facility.
MDS continues to lead the fight against preventable infections and cross-contamination. From disposable gloves to surface disinfectants, from N95 respirators and ASTM rated facemasks to isolation gowns and surface barrier covers, we carry everything you need to keep your patients, employees, patrons and students safe from norovirus. Spend some time and add up the savings! All you need to do is tap the link and …
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