Norovirus Information for Students

To: UW–Madison Students
From: University Health Services
Re: Norovirus Information for Students
Date: Friday, November 14

You may have heard that a number of UW students have gotten sick this week with symptoms of gastroenteritis, many of them in Sellery Hall. This is a very unpleasant disease, characterized by vomiting and diarrhea, but most people recover from it by themselves within 24 to 48 hours.

University Health Services (UHS) believes that many of these cases may have been caused by a strain of norovirus. Norovirus is always present in our environment, especially during the winter—if you have ever had “stomach flu”, it may have been caused by a norovirus.

Because this virus can be easily transmitted when people are in close contact, such as sharing bathrooms or preparing food near each other, it's important to take steps to keep it from spreading to large numbers of people. University Housing and the residents of Sellery Hall have taken prompt and aggressive measures to limit the spread of disease there.

Below are some important tips from UHS on how you can decrease your risk of contracting norovirus (and other diseases, such as influenza, that are present in our environment in winter) and how to keep from spreading it to others on campus if you do get sick. Students who have additional health questions or who need medical care should call UHS at 608-265-5600.

Protecting yourself

  • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water—especially every time after you use the bathroom and before preparing or eating food. (Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is good to use when soap and water aren’t available, but soap and water are preferred.) Dry them completely.
  • Even better is to wash with soap and water, dry completely, and then wash with hand sanitizer, and dry completely.
  • When you apply an alcohol-based gel hand sanitizer, rub it all over both hands and wrists.
  • Get in the habit of washing your hands several times a day, such as when you come home and take off your coat.
  • Avoid putting your hands in or near your mouth.

If you get sick

  • Self-care consists of oral rehydration with small, frequent amounts of clear liquids.
  • Students who become dehydrated may need to receive intravenous fluids to help their recovery.
  • See the UHS website for more information on symptoms of gastroenteritis and its treatment.
  • Students who need medical care should call UHS at 608-265-5600.

Protecting others

  • If you have an acute illness with vomiting and/or diarrhea, you should limit contact with others while you have symptoms. Continue thorough hand washing practices.
  • UHS advises that you stay home from work and from class until your symptoms have passed. Remember to contact your professor promptly if you have to miss class due to illness and find out what actions you should take when you recover.
  • You must not prepare or handle food for others. Avoid washing your dishes in a common bathroom sink.
  • If you work in food service (including handling, preparation, cooking, or serving), health care, or child care, you should notify your employer of your symptoms, and you must stay home from work until 48 hours after your symptoms have resolved.
  • Alert your roommates that you are sick so they may be especially vigilant with their own precautions.
  • Toilets, sinks, and other surfaces that become contaminated by vomit or stool should be cleaned with a diluted (10 percent) bleach solution. More tips on cleaning in households where people have been sick will be available by clicking “Norovirus Information” on the UHS home page.
  • If you live in a residence hall, you should report your symptoms to a house fellow.

Reporting suspected norovirus cases

University Housing communicates daily with University Health Services about this situation. Managers or advisors in fraternities or sororities or off-campus housing who encounter residents with these symptoms should alert epidemiologist Craig Roberts at University Health Services: 262-6720, cmrober1@UHS.wisc.edu.