From the Guidelines
Yes, a family can get norovirus again within 2 weeks, as the virus can be shed in stool for an average of 4 weeks following infection and immunity is strain-specific. This can happen in several ways: different family members might get infected at different times, spreading it throughout the household; a new strain of norovirus could cause reinfection; or in rare cases, immunity might not fully develop after the first infection 1. Key factors contributing to the risk of reinfection include:
- The highly contagious nature of norovirus, which requires only a few viral particles for infection
- The virus's ability to survive on surfaces for days or weeks
- The potential for asymptomatic family members to shed the virus, albeit at lower titers than symptomatic persons 1 To prevent reinfection, it is crucial to practice thorough handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, as hand sanitizers are less effective against norovirus. Additionally, disinfecting contaminated surfaces with bleach-based cleaners, washing contaminated linens and clothing in hot water, and avoiding preparing food for others for at least 48 hours after symptoms resolve can help mitigate the risk. Those infected should stay home from work or school until at least 48 hours after symptoms end to prevent spreading the virus. The lack of a cell culture system or small animal model for human norovirus makes it unclear whether the viruses detected in stool represent infectious virus, but precautions should be taken nonetheless 1.
From the Research
Norovirus Infection and Reinfection
- Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that can cause acute gastroenteritis in people of all ages 2.
- The virus can be transmitted through the fecal-oral route, and outbreaks are common in small communities such as educational and care facilities 2.
- There is no specific treatment for norovirus infection, and control measures are limited to hand hygiene, exclusion of ill individuals, and environmental cleaning 3, 2.
Risk of Reinfection
- The provided studies do not specifically address the risk of a family getting norovirus again within 2 weeks.
- However, it is known that norovirus has a high mutational rate, which allows for new variants to emerge and potentially cause reinfection 2.
- Additionally, the lack of immunity to norovirus means that individuals can be infected multiple times throughout their lives 4, 5.
Prevention and Control
- Prevention and control measures for norovirus infection include hand hygiene, exclusion of ill individuals, and environmental cleaning 3, 2.
- Vaccines to prevent norovirus illness are currently under development, but none are currently available 3, 2.
- Researchers are working to develop antiviral strategies to treat or prevent norovirus infections, but more research is needed 4.