Clorox Wipes Kill Norovirus: A Step-by-Step Guide 2024

Do Clorox Wipes Kill Norovirus?

Clorox wipes kill Norovirus is one of the most common causes of gastroenteritis, leading to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach pain. It’s extremely contagious and spreads easily through contact with infected individuals or contaminated surfaces. This has led many to wonder – do Clorox wipes kill norovirus?

What Is Norovirus?

Norovirus, sometimes referred to as the “stomach flu,” causes acute gastroenteritis and affects people of all ages. It is not related to the influenza virus despite being called the “stomach flu.” Norovirus is part of the Caliciviridae family of RNA viruses and there are at least 25 different strains that infect humans.

Norovirus spreads through the fecal-oral route, meaning virus particles from an infected person’s stool or vomit enter another person’s mouth. This can happen through direct contact with an infected person or by touching contaminated surfaces or objects. The virus can survive on surfaces for weeks and it only takes a small amount to cause infection.

Norovirus outbreaks are common in crowded settings like schools, cruise ships, nursing homes, restaurants, and hospitals. Each year in the U.S. alone, norovirus causes 19-21 million cases of acute gastroenteritis, leads to 56,000-71,000 hospitalizations, and contributes to 570-800 deaths.

Symptoms usually appear 12-48 hours after exposure and last for 1-3 days. The main symptoms include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Abdominal cramps/pain
Low-grade fever
Muscle aches
Fatigue

Dehydration is the most common complication, especially in young children and older adults. Currently, there is no antiviral medication available for Clorox wipes kill norovirus and treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing dehydration through oral rehydration therapy.

The good news is that norovirus illness is usually self-limiting and resolves on its own after a few days. However, individuals continue to shed the virus in their stool for 2 weeks or more after recovering. Proper hand hygiene and environmental disinfection are key to controlling Clorox wipes kill norovirus outbreaks.

Clorox Disinfecting Wipes

Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are pre-moistened disposable wipes that are frequently used for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces in home, school, office, and healthcare settings. The wipes contain quaternary ammonium and ethanol which are effective at inactivating many pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

Some key features of Clorox Disinfecting Wipes:

Kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, including E. coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Rhinovirus, Rotavirus, and Influenza A Virus.
Kills cold and flu viruses in as little as 30 seconds.
Approved by the EPA as effective against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Can be used on hard, nonporous surfaces like countertops, sinks, doorknobs, toys, and more. Should not be used on skin.
Convenient pre-moistened wipes for quick and easy disinfecting.
Portable canister for use around the home or on-the-go.
Fresh citrus scent.

Do Clorox Wipes Kill Norovirus?

According to the product label, Clorox Disinfecting Wipes kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, including human rotavirus. Human rotavirus is a type of norovirus that causes gastroenteritis. So yes, Clorox wipes are effective at killing the norovirus when used appropriately.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends using EPA-registered disinfectants like Clorox wipes in household settings to prevent the spread of norovirus. Clorox wipes meet the EPA criteria for use against the norovirus by killing the surrogate human rotavirus.

Proper use of Clorox wipes is key for them to be effective against norovirus:

Always check the expiration date and only use wipes from unopened packages.
Pre-clean visibly dirty surfaces with soap and water before disinfecting.
Rub the surface thoroughly with Clorox Wipes Kill Norovirus and ensure it remains wet for at least 2-4 minutes. This contact time is required to kill pathogens.
Wipe the disinfected surface with a clean damp cloth or paper towel to prevent residue buildup.
Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after disinfecting.

Clorox wipes are not suitable for skin or food contact surfaces. Only use them on hard, nonporous objects. Also exercise caution when using on floors, walls, varnished wood, leather, and aluminum. Test a small area first.

For heavily soiled surfaces, Clorox recommends pre-cleaning before disinfection. Their wipes also become less effective when dried out so reseal containers tightly after use.

Clorox wipes kill Norovirus Prevention Tips

In addition to surface disinfection with Clorox wipes, here are some other tips to prevent norovirus infection and spread:

Practice proper hand hygiene by washing hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers, before eating/preparing food, and after caring for someone who is sick.
Avoid bare hand contact with ready-to-eat foods. Use gloves, tongs, bakery tissue, etc.
Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water before eating.
Keep food preparation surfaces and utensils clean.
Immediately clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces with a chlorine bleach solution or EPA-approved disinfectant.
Wash soiled clothing, linens, and objects with hot water and detergent. Machine dry thoroughly.
Stay home from work, school, etc. while ill and for at least 2 days after symptoms end.
Avoid close contact with others who are sick.

Following preventive measures like environmental disinfection, hand hygiene, and isolation of sick individuals can help reduce norovirus transmission. Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are an effective product to help kill noroviruses when used properly as part of a comprehensive prevention approach. However, they should not replace other hygiene habits like hand washing. Combining disinfectant wipes with other sanitary practices provides the best protection against highly contagious Clorox wipes kill norovirus outbreaks.

Other Disinfecting Options for Clorox wipes kill Norovirus

While Clorox wipes are convenient and effective, there are some other disinfecting options suitable for use against norovirus:

Bleach – Household chlorine bleach solutions properly diluted with water can kill norovirus. Mix 1/3 cup bleach per 1 gallon of cool water and apply to surfaces for at least 5 minutes before rinsing. Use bleach solutions promptly as they lose potency over time.
Alcohol – Wiping surfaces with 70% isopropyl or ethyl alcohol solutions can help inactivate norovirus. However, alcohol evaporates quickly so repeated applications may be needed to keep the surface wet for a few minutes.
Hydrogen peroxide – Accelerated hydrogen peroxide wipes and sprays are EPA-approved for use against norovirus. Like bleach, they should be given time to work before wiping the surface.
Quaternary ammonium – Many disinfectant wipes and solutions contain quats like benzalkonium chloride which disrupt viral envelopes and kill norovirus with adequate contact time.
Heat – Norovirus cannot withstand high heat. Washing items in a dishwasher running a full cycle with hot water and drying on the sanitize setting can help disinfect.

Regardless of the disinfecting product, it’s important to read label directions carefully and allow for the recommended wet contact time. Combining disinfection with proper hand hygiene, isolation of sick individuals, and other hygienic practices is key for controlling norovirus outbreaks. Clorox wipes are an excellent option as they kill 99.9% of viruses, are easy to use on hard surfaces, and provide sustained Clorox wipes kill norovirus protection when used consistently and correctly.

Norovirus Infection Symptoms and Treatment

Norovirus symptoms often come on suddenly, within 12-48 hours after exposure. Typical symptoms include:

Nausea and vomiting – Often the first symptoms and can be severe
Watery, non-bloody diarrhea – Profuse and explosive diarrhea is common
Abdominal pain and cramps – Can be severe
Muscle aches and body fatigue
Low grade fever – Usually less than 101°F
Chills
Headache

Symptoms tend to worsen over the first 1-2 days and then gradually improve. Complete recovery often occurs within 1-3 days. Some people continue shedding virus particles in stool for weeks after symptoms end.

There is no specific medical treatment for Clorox wipes kill norovirus. Antibiotics are not effective as it is a viral infection. Management of symptoms and preventing dehydration are the main goals.

For dehydration, oral rehydration is preferred using solutions to replace fluids and electrolytes. Intravenous fluids are rarely needed except in cases of severe dehydration.

Medications can help relieve specific symptoms like antidiarrheals for diarrhea and antiemetics for vomiting. However, vomiting can limit the ability to take oral medications.

It’s important to continue eating as soon as tolerated after the vomiting and diarrhea subside. BRAT diet foods are a good place to start – bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast. Avoid fatty, spicy, or dairy foods initially.

With supportive care, most people fully recover on their own within a few days without long-term health effects. However, dehydration can become severe quickly in high risk groups like infants, elderly, and those with weakened immune systems. Preventing dehydration is vital, so prompt medical attention is needed if symptoms are not improving with oral fluids

Key Takeaways About Clorox Wipes Kill Norovirus

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes acute gastroenteritis leading to vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. It spreads easily through contact with infected people or contaminated surfaces.
Clorox Disinfecting Wipes kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria, including norovirus. They meet EPA criteria for effective norovirus disinfection.
When used properly on hard, nonporous surfaces, Clorox wipes kill norovirus particles and reduce transmission risk. Still need to wash hands frequently while cleaning.
In addition to disinfecting surfaces, also need to isolate sick people, wash laundry thoroughly, and practice good hand hygiene to control norovirus outbreaks.
Oral rehydration is the main medical treatment for norovirus. Symptoms typically resolve in 1-3 days but viral shedding can continue for weeks after illness.

Clorox wipes are an excellent addition to routine cleaning to prevent norovirus outbreaks in environments like healthcare facilities, schools, restaurants, offices, and homes. However, disinfecting surfaces alone is not sufficient to stop norovirus spread. A comprehensive approach also requires hand hygiene, isolation precautions, proper food handling, and other sanitary practices. When combined with good hygiene habits, consistent use of Clorox Disinfecting Wipes can help protect people by reducing norovirus contamination of surfaces.

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