--- title: Treatment for Norovirus Infection date: 2021-01-28T20:09:00-08:00 author: admin canonical_url: "https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus/norwalk-treatment" section: Resource Library --- [Foodborne Illnesses](/foodborne-illnesses) / [Norovirus](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus) / # Treatment for Norovirus Infection ### Norovirus typically resolves without treatment; however, dehydration is a concern. Collecting a stool sample and using molecular methods to find viral RNA is the preferred method to test for norovirus in the public health world. In many cases, however, diagnosis is made based on symptoms. Most people who become ill recover within 24 to 48 hours after symptoms with just rest and fluids to prevent dehydration. Antibiotics are not effective, as the illness is caused by a viral pathogen. There is no specific treatment available for norovirus. In most healthy people, the illness is self-limiting; however, outbreaks among infants, children, elderly, and immune-compromised populations may result in severe complications among those affected. Death may result without prompt measures. A vital part of therapy for norovirus is the replacement of fluids and minerals such as sodium, potassium, and calcium—otherwise known as electrolytes—lost due to persistent vomiting and diarrhea. This rehydration can be done either by drinking large amounts of liquids, or intravenously. Recent research has focused on the potential for developing a norovirus vaccine. Researchers indicate that coming up with a norovirus vaccine would be similar to vaccinating for influenza—by using screening in order to select for the most prevalent strains. The success of a norovirus vaccine will depend largely on the duration of immunity it can confer. While modeling studies have suggested that naturally-induced norovirus immunity could last 4 to 9 years, challenge studies have found that immunity only lasts from 2 months to 2 years after norovirus inoculation, although norovirus inoculums were significantly higher than would be observed in naturally-acquired infections. Currently, no clinical data from challenge studies have been published to verify longer immunity durations. Norovirus vaccine clinical trials have shown moderate vaccine efficacy, but participants were challenged with vaccine-specific norovirus strains only four weeks after receiving the second dose of the vaccine. Results from longer-term immunity studies are currently unavailable. [ Next: Preventing Norovirus Infection › ](https://marlerclark.com/foodborne-illnesses/norovirus/norwalk-prevention) ### 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)