Norovirus Infection: A Clinical Overview for Nurses and Nurse Practitioners

Norovirus is one of the leading causes of infectious gastroenteritis globally, with over 685 million cases occurring annually. This highly infectious enteric pathogen can lead to dehydration and severe illness, especially in pediatric patients, older adults, and those who are immunocompromised. Transmission and spread of norovirus often lead to regional outbreaks across the United States each year. Early symptom recognition and implementation of prevention strategies can reduce the spread of this infection. This article provides an overview of the epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, management, and prevention recommendations for norovirus. The role of nurses is also highlighted.