Norovirus Alert: Prevention Tips Everyone Needs Right Now

13. Rethink Shared Snacks and Potlucks

Passing around chips or sampling from a communal dip may seem harmless—but during norovirus season, it’s a silent invitation for germs to spread. Shared food bowls, buffet-style meals, and potlucks can easily become contamination zones if just one person is infected. Pediatricians and infection control experts recommend individual portions and serving utensils whenever possible. Encourage guests to wash their hands before eating, and avoid finger foods that get repeatedly touched. A little planning can protect a lot of people—especially in schools, office parties, and family gatherings. When in doubt, serve safety with the snacks.

14. Don’t Overlook Your Laundry Habits

Norovirus particles can survive on clothing, towels, and bed linens for days—especially after a vomiting or diarrhea episode. If someone in your household is sick, treat their laundry like biohazard-lite. Wear gloves, avoid shaking dirty clothes (which can aerosolize the virus), and wash everything on the hottest setting the fabric allows, using bleach if possible. Dry thoroughly on high heat. Also sanitize hampers and laundry baskets regularly. It’s easy to forget just how many surfaces fabric touches—but norovirus doesn’t. Being mindful with laundry can help cut one of the most under-the-radar transmission routes.