can you get norovirus more than once

 

Symptoms of norovirus

You're likely to have norovirus if you experience:

• suddenly feeling sick
• projectile vomiting
• watery diarrhoea

Some people also have a slight fever, headaches, painful stomach cramps and aching limbs.

The symptoms appear one to two days after you become infected and typically last for up to two or three days.

How is norovirus spread?

Norovirus spreads very easily in public places such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools.

You can catch it if small particles of vomit or stools (poo) from an infected person get into your mouth through:

• close contact with someone with norovirus who may breathe out small particles of the virus that you then inhale
• touching contaminated surfaces or objects, as the virus can survive outside the body for several days
• eating contaminated food, which can happen if an infected person doesn't wash their hands before preparing or handling food

Norovirus is most infectious from the start of symptoms until 48 hours after all symptoms have stopped. You may also be infectious for a short time before and after this.

You can get norovirus more than once because the virus is always changing and your body is unable to build up long-term resistance to it.

Preventing norovirus

It's not always possible to avoid getting norovirus, but following the advice below can help stop the virus spreading. You should:

• stay off work or school until at least 48 hours after the norovirus symptoms have stopped
• avoid visiting anyone in hospital during this time
• wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water particularly after using the toilet and before preparing or handling food
• be aware alcohol-based hand gels don't kill the virus

Maintain basic hygiene and cleaning to help stop the spread of norovirus by:

• disinfecting any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated, using a bleach-based household cleaner.
• washing any items of clothing or bedding that could have become contaminated separately on a hot wash (60 °C) to ensure the virus is killed.
• not sharing towels and flannels
• flushing any poo or vomit in the toilet and cleaning the surrounding area with a bleach-based household cleaner
• avoiding eating raw, unwashed food
• only eating oysters from a reliable source as they can carry norovirus