How to Help Prevent the Spread of Norovirus

Advice from our experts

Here are some tips to help prevent the spread of norovirus in your home.

Norovirus causes inflammation of the stomach, intestines or both. Common symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain. A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to norovirus. Most people with norovirus illness get better within 1 to 3 days.¹

Unfortunately, the spread of norovirus can happen quickly. It’s highly contagious and can infect anyone. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no vaccine for norovirus, so taking measures to help prevent the spread of the virus is important.²

Prevention can start with simple cleaning measures at home, including the use of a disinfecting bleach to help disinfect surfaces at home. The CDC recommends disinfecting hard, nonporous surfaces with a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered disinfectant that is approved to kill norovirus, such as Clorox^® Regular Bleach₂.³

Here are some tips to help prevent the spread of norovirus in your home:

Tips at Home

Wash your hands often with soap and water:³
- After using the toilet or changing diapers
- Before eating, preparing or handling food
Clean food thoroughly — especially fruits and vegetables — before eating them³
- Do not prepare food for yourself or others if you are sick
Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces (such as kitchen countertops or bathroom sinks) by doing the following:⁴
- Use 1/2 cup of Clorox^® Regular Bleach₂ in 1 gallon of water
- Thoroughly wet surface with the bleach solution and allow it to remain on the surface for 5 minutes
- Rinse with clean water and air dry
Wash clothes thoroughly³
- Immediately remove and wash clothes or linens that may be contaminated with vomit or stool (feces)