Is norovirus killed with sanitizer? What hand sanitizer kills norovirus?

Norovirus, often referred to as the stomach flu, is a highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the stomach and intestines. It’s important to note that norovirus is not related to the flu, which is a respiratory illness caused by the influenza virus.

When it comes to preventing the spread of norovirus, hand hygiene is crucial. However, it’s important to understand that not all hand sanitizers are effective against norovirus. In fact, alcohol-based hand sanitizers, which are commonly used, do not kill norovirus.

The reason for this is that norovirus is enclosed by a structure known as a capsid, which alcohol cannot penetrate4. Therefore, using hand sanitizer may not be enough to prevent the spread of norovirus.

So, what can you do to protect yourself and others from norovirus? The best defense is thorough handwashing with soap and water. It’s recommended to wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the toilet or changing diapers, before eating, preparing, or handling food, and before giving yourself or someone else medicine2.

In addition to handwashing, it’s also important to clean and disinfect surfaces that may be contaminated with norovirus. To disinfect, you should use a chlorine bleach solution with a concentration of 1,000 to 5,000 ppm (5 to 25 tablespoons of household bleach [5% to 8%] per gallon of water) or other disinfectants effective against norovirus.

Remember, while these measures can help reduce the risk of norovirus infection, they are not guaranteed to prevent it entirely. If you or someone in your household becomes ill with norovirus, it’s important to avoid preparing food for others and to clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces promptly. If symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical attention.