---
title: How is Norovirus Infection Diagnosed?
date: 2021-01-28T20:08:00-08:00
author: admin
canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus/norwalk-diagnosis"
section: Resource Library
---
[Foodborne Illnesses](/foodborne-illnesses) / [Norovirus](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus) /

# How is Norovirus Infection Diagnosed?

 

 

 ### Norovirus can be detected in an infected person’s stool or vomit through laboratory testing.

Diagnosis of norovirus illness is based on the combination of symptoms, particularly the prominence of vomiting, fever, and short duration of illness. If a known norovirus outbreak is in progress, public health officials may obtain specimens from ill individuals for testing in a lab.

Lab tests consist of identifying norovirus under an electron microscope. A reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction test (RT-PCR assay) can also detect norovirus in food, water, stool samples, and on surfaces. These tests isolate and replicate the suspected virus’s genetic material for analysis. An ELISA can also be performed, which detects antigens; they are easier to perform than RT-PCR, but less sensitive and can also result in many false negatives.

 ![](https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/aboutnoroviruscom-images/outbreaks/image8.jpeg)  [ Next: Treatment for Norovirus Infection › ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus/norwalk-treatment) 

 

### More information about Norovirus

 [April 14, 2022

###### Common Places Norovirus Outbreaks Tend to Occur

Common settings for norovirus outbreaks include restaurants and events with catered meals, nursing homes, schools, vacation settings or cruise ships, Shellfish (oysters, clams, mussels) pose the greatest risk and any ...

 

 ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/common-places-norovirus-outbreaks-tend-to-occur) [February 12, 2018

###### El Toro Norovirus Outbreak - Washington (2018)

Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department was initially notified of a potential norovirus outbreak on January 4, 2018 when two people reported norovirus-like symptoms after eating at El Toro Restaurant located at ...

 

 ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/el-toro-norovirus-outbreak-washington-2018) [February 08, 2012

###### Golden Corral Norovirus Outbreak - Wyoming (2012)

Marler Clark represents victims of a 2012 norovirus outbreak traced to the Casper, Wyoming Golden Corral in a lawsuit against the restaurant. The firm is working with The Ochs Law ...

 

 ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/golden-corral-norovirus-outbreak-wyoming-2012) [March 31, 2008

###### Bravo! Cucina Italiana Norovirus Outbreak Lawsuits - Michigan (2006)

Marler Clark represented several individuals in claims against the Bravo! Cucina Italiana restaurant after a norovirus outbreak at the restaurant's Lansing, Michigan, location was the source of an outbreak. Illness ...

 

 ](https://marlerclark.com/news_events/bravo-cucina-italiana-norovirus-outbreak-michigan) [1. View all
 ](/news_events/outbreaks?illness=norovirus&year=all) 

## All Norovirus Resources

 

 [######  Norovirus Food Poisoning 

 

 

 ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus/about-norwalk) [######  Symptoms and Risks of Norovirus Infection 

 

 

 ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus/norwalk-symptoms-risks) [######  How is Norovirus Infection Diagnosed? 

 

 

 ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus/norwalk-diagnosis) [######  Treatment for Norovirus Infection 

 

 

 ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus/norwalk-treatment) [######  Preventing Norovirus Infection 

 

 

 ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus/norwalk-prevention) [######  Norovirus References 

 

 

 ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus/norovirus-references) 

### Other foodborne illnesses

 [E. coli](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/e-coli) [Salmonella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/salmonella) [Listeria](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/listeria) [Hepatitis A](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hepatitis-a) [Reactive Arthritis](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/reactive-arthritis) [Guillain-Barre Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/guillain-barre-syndrome) [Irritable Bowel Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/irritable-bowel-syndrome) [Botulism](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/botulism) [Campylobacter](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/campylobacter) [Shigella](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/shigella) [Cyclospora](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/cyclospora) [Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/hemolytic-uremic-syndrome)