03/04/2026
Norovirus is backâand weâve been seeing a lot of it the past week or two. Itâs spreading fast, and once itâs in the house it can feel impossible to contain. Here are practical, parent-tested tips to get through it and help protect the rest of the family.
1) Prep + contain (before it hits the carpet)
First: I keep disposable vomit bags in the car and by the bed/couch. It saves mess, stress, and exposure when kids canât make it to the bathroom.
2) Cleaning that actually works for norovirus
Norovirus is tough. Hereâs what helps:
⢠Laundry: Wash anything they touch (pajamas, towels, bedding) in hot water on the longest cycle, then dry on high heat.
⢠Dishes: Run the dishwasher on sanitize mode (or hottest setting).
⢠Carpet cleanup: If thereâs vomit on carpet, it needs a real deep cleanâsteam cleaning with sustained heat (we aim for a full treatment, not a quick pass).
⢠Counters + high-touch surfaces: Yes⌠bleach products. CDC recommends a bleach solution 1,000â5,000 ppm for disinfection and to leave it on the surface for at least 5 minutes.ďż˝My personal method: gloves on, doors/windows open, air purifier running, kids nowhere near it.
Also: hand sanitizer alone isnât great against norovirusâsoap + water wins.
3) Hydration is the whole game (especially for kids)
Norovirus can cause rapid fluid loss. Go for small sips often, not big gulps.
⢠Electrolytes / oral rehydration are usually more helpful than plain water when vomiting/diarrhea is active.
⢠Easy foods (as tolerated): crackers, bananas, applesauce (and whatever bland option theyâll accept).
4) When to reach out
If your child (or you) has persistent vomiting and canât keep fluids down, or youâre seeing signs of dehydration like:
⢠not peeing much, dry mouth, dizziness
⢠kids: no tears, unusual sleepiness/fussiness
ďż˝âŚthatâs a sign to get help. Severe dehydration may require IV fluids.
If appropriate, we can come to you and provide Zofran and/or IV therapy to help you recover safely and faster.
Not medical advice. This is general education.