Health
How to Stay Safe from Norovirus This Season
Health Points
- Hand sanitizer alone won’t stop norovirus; soap and water are best for hand hygiene.
- Bleach-based cleaners are most effective in eliminating norovirus from surfaces.
- Proper handwashing, especially after restroom use and before meals, is key to prevention.
Norovirus cases are rising across the country, and taking extra safety measures at home is important during this time.
Relying on hand sanitizer isn’t enough—there are smarter steps to protect your health this season.
How Norovirus Spreads
Norovirus is extremely contagious and primarily spreads through contact with particles from feces or vomit.
“The virus can linger on surfaces for days, making it easy to pick up from things like countertops or doorknobs,” says Dr. Craig Wilen of Yale School of Medicine.
Transmission often happens via direct contact with infected people or by touching contaminated objects and then touching your mouth.
Symptoms can be severe but some people might feel very mild effects, or none at all, while still spreading the virus.
Hand Sanitizer vs. Soap and Water
Hand sanitizer is less effective against norovirus because it can’t easily break down the virus’s tough protective shell.
“Soap is definitely the way to go,” Dr. Wilen says, since it can dissolve the virus’s outer layer and wash it away.
Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University Medical Center highlights, “You have to use soap and water, which literally picks up the virus and washes it down the drain.”
Hand sanitizer can be an extra step but should not replace frequent washing with soap and water, especially after bathroom use or before eating.
Best Cleaners to Use at Home
Alcohol-based cleaning products aren’t enough to get rid of norovirus on household surfaces.
Dr. Luis Ostrosky of UTHealth Houston explains that bleach-based disinfectants are reliable for killing norovirus.
Wilen’s research team uses bleach wipes in their laboratory because of their proven effectiveness.
There’s currently no vaccine or specific treatment for norovirus, so preventing its spread is essential.
How to Protect Yourself Daily
- Scrub your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the toilet or before meals.
- Clean surfaces regularly, focusing on bathrooms and kitchens, using bleach-based products.
- Handle food with care and clean up bathroom areas thoroughly if someone becomes ill.
Keep yourself and your loved ones healthy this season by following these evidence-based tips for norovirus prevention.
