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According to the <\/span>CDC<\/span><\/a>, norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting, diarrhea, and foodborne illness in the United States. \u201cEach year, there are about 2,500 reported norovirus outbreaks in the United States. Norovirus outbreaks occur throughout the year but are most common from November to April.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n With cold weather settling in across much of the country, it\u2019s more important than ever to understand how to protect yourself.<\/span><\/p>\n Norovirus is extremely contagious and spreads quickly. According to <\/span>Dr. Craig Wilen<\/b>, associate professor of laboratory medicine and immunology at the Yale School of Medicine, who told <\/span>TODAY.com<\/span><\/i><\/a>, \u201cSpecifically, it spreads through viral particles contained in feces and vomit. This route is what\u2019s known as \u2018fecal-oral transmission.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Wilen explained that these particles can spread through direct human contact or through fomites, \u201cwhich are basically any contaminated object where the virus can get on,\u201d said Wilen.<\/span><\/p>\n Once on a surface, \u201cthe virus can be stable for days, if not longer,\u201d Wilen says, \u201cand then someone can touch that surface or eat something that has the virus on it and get infected that way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Norovirus doesn\u2019t spread through the air, so wearing a mask won\u2019t offer protection from this particular virus.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s also possible to have very mild symptoms \u2014 or no symptoms at all \u2014 while infected.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Wilen says, \u201cThey can shed the virus asymptomatically, and it\u2019s likely those people that are helping to initiate these outbreaks,\u201d he explains.<\/span><\/p>\n So, what\u2019s the most effective way to protect yourself? Washing your hands with soap and water.<\/span><\/p>\n Why? Because \u201csoap is a detergent, and it can dissolve and break apart the capsid and inactivate the virus pretty efficiently,\u201d Wilen further explains.<\/span><\/p>\n In fact, soap and water is more effective in killing the virus than <\/span>hand sanitizer<\/span><\/a>. While Wilen noted that hand sanitizer is\u00a0 \u201csomewhat effective,\u201d he told <\/span>TODAY<\/span><\/i> that \u201csoap is definitely the way to go.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n In terms of cleaning your home to get rid of potential particles in your home, Wilen suggests using bleach wipes. <\/span>Wilen even added that his norovirus research team relies on bleach to stay safe in the lab.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n