Norovirus gastroenteritis
Norovirus precautions
- How long
- At least 48 hours after symptoms resolve, or longer to control an outbreak
- Room
- Single room; in outbreaks, cohort in separate airspaces with separate toilets
- PPE
- Gown and gloves; a mask may help when cleaning areas heavily soiled with vomit or feces
- Hand hygiene
- Soap and water after patient care during outbreaks (CDC norovirus guideline)
- Cleaning
- Focus on restrooms; hypochlorite or an EPA List G product if transmission continues
Good to know
- CDC’s Appendix A notes that alcohol is less active against norovirus, but there is no evidence that alcohol hand rubs are ineffective for hand decontamination.
- CDC changed norovirus from Standard to Contact + Standard Precautions in 2019, in line with its 2011 norovirus outbreak guideline.
What CDC’s table says
Verbatim from CDC’s Appendix A, with bibliography numbers removed.
Gastroenteritis — Noroviruses
ContactStandardDuration—
Use Contact Precautions for a minimum of 48 hours after the resolution of symptoms or to control institutional outbreaks. Persons who clean areas heavily contaminated with feces or vomitus may benefit from wearing masks since virus can be aerosolized from these body substances; ensure consistent environmental cleaning and disinfection with focus on restrooms even when apparently unsoiled. Hypochlorite solutions may be required when there is continued transmission. Alcohol is less active, but there is no evidence that alcohol antiseptic handrubs are not effective for hand decontamination. Cohorting of affected patients to separate airspaces and toilet facilities may help interrupt transmission during outbreaks. Gastroenteritis, Noroviruses Precaution Update [April 2019] Update: The Type of Precaution was updated from “Standard” to “Contact + Standard” to align with Guideline for the Prevention and Control of Norovirus Gastroenteritis Outbreaks in Healthcare Settings (2011).
Test yourself: a CIC-style question
For how long should Contact Precautions continue after a patient’s norovirus symptoms resolve?
- Until discharge
- At least 48 hours
- 24 hours
- 7 days
Show answer
B. At least 48 hours
CDC recommends Contact Precautions for a minimum of 48 hours after symptoms resolve, or longer to control an institutional outbreak.
Questions like this come up in the Preventing and Controlling the Transmission of Infectious Agents domain of the CIC® exam. The 654 questions in the app each come with a written explanation.
FAQ
- What precautions are needed for Norovirus?
- Contact + Standard. Room: Single room; in outbreaks, cohort in separate airspaces with separate toilets. PPE: Gown and gloves; a mask may help when cleaning areas heavily soiled with vomit or feces. Hand hygiene: Soap and water after patient care during outbreaks (CDC norovirus guideline). Cleaning: Focus on restrooms; hypochlorite or an EPA List G product if transmission continues.
- How long do Norovirus precautions last?
- At least 48 hours after symptoms resolve, or longer to control an outbreak.
Sources
- CDC. Appendix A: Type and Duration of Precautions Recommended for Selected Infections and Conditions (2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions, updated September 2024)
- CDC/HICPAC. Guideline for the Prevention and Control of Norovirus Gastroenteritis Outbreaks in Healthcare Settings (2011): Summary of Recommendations
- U.S. EPA. Selected EPA-Registered Disinfectants (Lists G, K, P and others)
Checked against CDC on October 21, 2026. For education and CIC® exam preparation only — not a substitute for your facility’s infection prevention policies, your state or local health department, or clinical judgment. CBIC and CDC do not endorse this tool.