Norovirus Season is Here — What to Do to Protect Your Family
Published on: December 15, 2025
If your child’s classroom looks half-empty this week, norovirus may be making the rounds. This highly contagious virus is behind many of the stomach bugs circulating right now, and it spreads faster than you might think.
Why Norovirus Spreads Easily
Norovirus is extremely contagious — it only takes 18 viral particles to make someone sick. It can survive on surfaces for days or even weeks, spreads through contact with contaminated surfaces or food, and people can still be contagious for a few days after symptoms stop.
How to Protect Your Family
- Wash hands with soap and water: Hand sanitizer alone won’t kill norovirus. Scrub thoroughly before eating and after using the bathroom.
- Avoid close contact with anyone who is vomiting: The virus can become airborne in tiny droplets.
If Norovirus Hits Your Home
- Clean safely: Wear disposable gloves. Remove visible mess with paper towels, then disinfect with a bleach solution (5–25 tablespoons per gallon of water). Let it sit for at least 5 minutes.
- Wash contaminated items hot: Launder clothes and linens on the hottest settings your fabrics allow.
- Keep sick family members out of the kitchen for at least 48 hours after symptoms stop.
Caring for Sick Kids
- Hydration is key: Offer small, frequent sips of oral rehydration solutions like Pedialyte — a sip every 5 minutes is ideal. It may seem tedious, but it helps prevent dehydration.
- Watch for warning signs: Sunken eyes, no tears, dry mouth, dizziness, or decreased urination can indicate dehydration. Contact your child’s doctor if these appear.
With careful hygiene and monitoring, you can help protect your family from norovirus this season.
