What is Norovirus and how do you avoid Norovirus?
Norovirus is a nasty, nasty germ that causes severe cramping, vomiting and diarrhea and is highly contagious. Symptoms tend to present themselves 12-48 hours after exposure and last one to three days; most of the time requiring treatment for dehydration.
You can continue to shed the virus in your feces for up to two weeks and can last several weeks to several months if you have an underlying health condition.
The virus is spread through vomit and feces of both humans and animals that are infected and contracted by eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated. Even just having close contact with an infected person can cause you to be infected with it.
Once an area has been infected it is hard to rid that area of the norovirus due to it being able to withstand hot and cold temperatures and most disinfectants are incapable of killing the virus. Just look at the Application Trail, the norovirus has been hitting the same area for several years now.
Norovirus Symptoms
The most common symptoms:
- diarrhea
- throwing up
- nausea
- stomach pain
Other symptoms:
- fever
- headache
- body aches
Tips to Avoid Norovirus
Wash Your Hands! – This should go without saying, but washing your hands after using the bathroom and before eating is the easiest way to prevent the spread of the norovirus. However, out in the woods, hand washing that often is unlikely. However, if you are hiking through an area that is infected it is best to find a way to wash them! Make sure you are washing for at least 20 seconds!
Use Bleach Wipes – If you are in an area (or hiking through) an area that you know has been infected and you have to stop. Use bleach wipes on everything before touching the item (such as a bear cable or privy seat) and then wash your hands immediately after.
Don’t Share Food – I don’t mean cooking food and then dividing it with clean utensils. More like don’t let someone else reach into your bag of chips and take some. Or something me and my husband do, eat out of the same Mountain House meal packet!
Don’t Share Drinks – This should go without saying, but don’t let anyone drink out of your cup, water bottle, or flask and don’t take a swig out of anyone else’s.
Don’t Share Eating Utensils – Even if the person looks healthy, remember it can take up to 48 hours for symptoms to appear. Your best bet is to not share utensils at all.
Wipe down privy seats with bleach wipes before using – The AT is notorious for having norovirus outbreaks (that always seem to be in the same location). If you have to stop, either skip the privy or at least wipe the seat down with a bleach wipe. And wash your hands super good afterwards!
Wipe down bear cables (or box handles) with bleach wipes before using – If using a bear cable or box, make sure to wipe the handle down or cable down before using, then wash your hands immediately after.
Chlorine Bleach kills the virus. Chlorine Bleach kills the norovirus dead. Keep some chlorine bleach wipes on hand so you can use them at shelters or area where you know norovirus is running rampant. Remember that it is bleach, so make sure not to touch clothes, or gear (otherwise you risk the chance of ruining them). You want to use something with at least a 2% solution according to the CDC. A good one is Clorox Healthcare Bleach Germicidal Wipes.
Most Hand Sanitizers have been shown to be ineffective at killing the norovirus. – The CDC states, “Alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be used in addition to hand washing. But, they should not be used as a substitute for washing with soap and water”. Furthermore, the use of alcohol based hand sanitizer has not only been proven to be ineffective but also increases the risk of contracting the virus. There are a couple of such as Zylast and My-Shield that have been proven to be effective.
The basic takeaway is use common sense, wash your hands after using the bathroom and before you eat. Not only will it help keep the Norovirus from spreading but also cold & flu germs along with other viruses that can make you sick! Just because you are backpacking doesn’t mean you should stop practicing good hygiene after using the bathroom or before eating!
Disclaimer: I am not a healthcare professional. Always seek professional advice from a medical professional before using any product that claims to kill viruses or bacteria. The information provided does not constitute medical advice and should not be taken as such. Use the information in this article at your own risk.
Nice overview. An infected individual can shed billions of the virus and it only takes a few to make someone else sick. There are various strains as well. An individual may have some immunity the second time exposed to the same strain but not to the others. Genetics can make a difference as well when it comes to suseptibility. I’ve been backpacking, hiking and camping for 50+ years now. I’m also a retired Epidemiologist from the Public Health Service. In addition to the clorox wipes, you can make up a solution with clorox and water. Instructions are generally available for food service establishments to use in cleaning tables and utensils.