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Five Ways to Prevent the Norovirus from Spreading

Washing hands to prevent norovirus from spreadingA recent CDC report found that the norovirus is most likely to be spread through contaminated food served at restaurants and in close quarters at long-term care facilities and nursing homes.

While you can’t control proper sanitation at buffets, the following are ways to prevent the norovirus from spreading at the facility where you work:

Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating them. If you bring snacks or meals to work with you, be sure to rinse all raw fruits and vegetables to remove any bacteria — or wash and slice them at home to further reduce the risk of contamination.

Scrub your hands with soap and water. Be sure to rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds with soap and water before and after eating and especially after using the bathroom, helping a patient use the bathroom or changing a diaper. You should also use hand sanitizer throughout the day when interacting with patients and other healthcare providers to avoid spreading germs.

Disinfect surfaces immediately after you or someone else becomes sick. Use bleach or disinfecting wipes to clean toilets, countertops and door handles whenever someone vomits or has diarrhea. Kitchen areas should be cleaned frequently as well.

Stay home from work if you’re sick. Food industry workers are often required to stay home from work for 48 hours after having diarrhea or vomiting, and nurses should do the same, if possible. If this isn’t an option at your workplace, be sure to avoid preparing or delivering food for patients to protect them from contracting the virus.

Wash clothes contaminated with feces or vomit carefully. While you won’t be able to throw your scrubs in the wash while you’re at work, you can take them off the minute you get home and put them in the wash. Touch dirty clothes with rubber gloves on and then wash your hands afterward. Be sure to use hot water to kill bacteria and dry clothes thoroughly in the dryer as well.

Norovirus is highly contagious, but these steps can help you prevent its spread through medical facilities. Learn more about the virus in this Mayo Clinic article.

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About the author

Lindsay Wilcox

Lindsay Wilcox is a communication professional with experience writing for the healthcare and entertainment industries as well as local government. When she's not circling typos, she's enjoying fish tacos and hanging out with her family.

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