How long do stomach viruses live on surfaces?

Norovirus Illness: Key Facts Norovirus—the stomach bug Norovirus is a highly contagious virus. Norovirus infection causes gastroenteritis (inflammation of the stomach and intestines). This leads to diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. Norovirus illness is often called by other names, such as food poisoning and stomach flu. read more

"Stomach flu" is just a nickname for viral gastroenteritis. It is not related to influenza, the real flu. Once everyone in your house is done being sick, it is reasonable to assume that you will have stray viruses lingering on household surfaces for another 2 weeks. Norovirus has been shown to live on kitchen counter tops for at least 7 days 1. read more

Flu viruses capable of being transferred to hands and causing an infection can survive on hard surfaces for 24 hours. Infectious flu viruses can survive on tissues for only 15 minutes. Like cold viruses, infectious flu viruses survive for much shorter periods on the hands. After five minutes the amount of flu virus on hands falls to low levels. read more

"Stomach flu" is just a nickname for viral gastroenteritis. It is not related to influenza, the real flu. Once everyone in your house is done being sick, it is reasonable to assume that you will have stray viruses lingering on household surfaces for another 2 weeks. Norovirus has been shown to live on kitchen counter tops for at least 7 days 1. read more