• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Subscribe
  • ☕ Support
  • ✉ Contact
    • Contact Me
    • Request Product Review
    • Work With Me
    • Submit Guest Post
  • Blog Archives
Nutty Hiker Adventures

Nutty Hiker Adventures

Hike Every Hike Like It Is Your Last

Eastern Mountain Sports Banner
  • Hiking >>
    • Hiking Articles
    • Hiking 101 >
      • 10 Essentials of Hiking
      • Types of Hikes
      • Trail Etiquette
      • Hiking Terms & Jargon
      • Hiking First Aid Kit
      • What to Bring On Every Hike
      • Pre Thru-Hike Checklist
      • Hacks to Lighten Your Backpack Weight
      • How to Avoid Norovirus While Backpacking
      • Choosing a Sleeping Bag Liner
      • How to Poop in the Woods
      • Gift Guide for Hikers
      • Books for Hikers & Backpackers
      • Movies About Hiking
      • Subscription Boxes for Hikers
      • Thru-Hiking Trails Bucket List – USA Edition
      • Your Hiking Questions Answered
    • Long Trails >
      • Appalachian Trail
      • Lone Star Hiking Trail
    • Gear Reviews
    • Ask Nutty Hiker
  • Camping + RVing >>
    • Camping Articles
    • RVing Articles
    • Camping & RV Gear Reviews
  • Survival >>
    • Survival Articles
    • Survival Gear Reviews
  • Destinations >>
    • Ultimate Road-Trip Checklist
    • State Highpoints
    • National Parks & Forests >
      • Black Hills National Forest
      • Guadalupe Mountains National Park
    • Arizona
    • Arkansas
    • Colorado
    • Idaho
    • Kansas
    • Kentucky
    • Maryland
    • Nevada
    • New Mexico
    • North Dakota
    • Pennsylvania
    • South Dakota
      • Black Hills National Forest
    • Tennessee
    • Texas
      • North Texas
      • Central Texas
        • San Antonio
      • East Texas
      • South Texas
      • West Texas
      • Texas State Parks
      • Guadalupe Mountains National Park
    • Utah
    • Washington
    • West Virginia
  • Road Trips >>
    • Ultimate Road-Trip Checklist
    • Road Trip Ideas
  • News >>
    • Outdoor News
    • Interviews
  • Video’s
  • Photography >>
    • Latest Work
    • Photography Gear Reviews
    • Portrait Portfolio
  • ✎ Logbook >>
    • My Daily Antics
    • Ask Nutty Hiker
  • Blogger / Vlogger Directory >>
    • >> Add Your Info <<
    • Appalachian Trail Directory
    • Continental Divide Trail Directory
    • Pacific Crest Trail Directory
  • Resources >>
    • Recommendations
    • Ultimate Road-Trip Checklist
    • Hiking Essentials Checklist
    • Morse Code Converter || Send a Message in Morse Code
    • Military Time Converter
    • Message Encryption & Decryption
    • Message Transformer
  • Shop
You are here: Home / Hiking / How to Avoid Norovirus While Backpacking

How to Avoid Norovirus While Backpacking

Posted June 25, 2018 / Last Updated October 27, 2022

What is Norovirus and how do you avoid Norovirus while in the backcountry?

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 Appalachian 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. Make sure to wash them for at least 20 seconds (sing the ABC song)! Dr. Bronner’s Soap doesn’t weigh that much and a little goes a long way, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t carry some with you when you are out backpacking.

Use Bleach Wipes – 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 areas 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. You can even buy small packets to keep with you through outbreak areas.

Don’t Share Food -Don’t let someone else reach into your bag of chips and take some and don’t reach into someone else’s bag. Or something me and my husband do, eat out of the same Mountain House meal packet! Only accept food that is individually wrapped.

Don’t Share Drinks – This should go without saying, but one of the best ways to avoid norovirus is don’t let anyone drink out of your cup, water bottle, or flask, and don’t take a swig out of anyone else’s. You have no idea what their hygiene is like, so just don’t risk it.

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. 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 well afterward!

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 or cable down before using, then wash your hands immediately after.

Most Hand Sanitizers have been shown to be ineffective at killing 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 gel-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 hand sanitizers such as Zylast and My-Shield that have been proven to be effective in killing the norovirus, so it might be worthwhile to use them instead of the gel-based ones which are ineffective.

It can be spread through water, so make sure to filter & use purification methods at all water sources where outbreaks have occurred. To avoid Norovirus, make sure to filter and disinfect all your water in known contaminated areas. Most filters will not remove the virus so you will also need to disinfect the water as well. For more information check out the CDC for information on water treatment in the backcountry,

The basic takeaway to avoid norovirus in the backcountry is to use common sense, and 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.

Tips on How to Avoid Norovirus while backpacking in the backcountry. What you need to do to keep safe.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments

  1. Dan Cameron says

    July 17, 2018 at 3:17 pm

    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.

    Reply
  2. Shilajit says

    April 22, 2019 at 7:18 am

    Such a great article for better health and a well discipline routine for maintain the life style and healthy growth. I will follow your share views.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike Take 2

WeeksDaysHours
9
1
:
4
:
1
2

LATEST ADVENTURE

Kansas Destinations

Monument Rocks, Kansas | Chalk Pyramids

May 4, 2023 0

Recent Posts

  • Green Bank Observatory – Where Cell Phones, WiFi, and Gas Powered Vehicles aren’t allowed.
  • Suscell Solar Charger 20000mAh Solar Power Bank Review
  • Monument Rocks, Kansas | Chalk Pyramids
  • Grand View in Arizona – Grand Canyon
  • Nomad Life – The Purge Continues
  • Under the Stars USA Book Review & Giveaway
  • Preparing to Live a Nomad Lifestyle
  • Appalachian Trail Thru-Hike; Take 2 Announcement
  • Continental Divide Trail Bloggers/Vloggers Directory
  • Pacific Crest Trail Bloggers/Vloggers Directory
Battlebox Banner
Zero Balance Banner
Mountain Steals Banner
Think Outside Subscription Banner

Footer

FOLLOW

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • RSS Feed
  • Amazon

SUPPORT =)

This blog is my full-time job. I rely heavily on support from my readers. If you would like to help offset the cost of running this blog and my nutty adventures so I can continue to bring you travel & outdoor adventures, please feel free to donate =)Donate to Nutty Hiker

DISCLOSURE

Per the FTC, This website contains affiliate links, advertisements, and sponsored posts. For reviews, I was provided with a complimentary copy of the item unless otherwise stated. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases using the amazon links located on my website. Read my full policy here.

AWARDS

Best Outdoor Blogs

Copyright © 2023 — Nutty Hiker Advenures | Bridget Carlson • All rights reserved.
The links on this website are solely for the convenience of our visitors. Nutty Hiker does not endorse, operate, or control external websites.
Terms of Use • Privacy Policy• Disclosure• Contest Rules