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Can my 10 year old son’s norovirus affect my husband?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello, Doctor,

My 10-year-old son recently had norovirus, and though he recovered quickly, my husband is undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma. I am worried about him catching it. Please tell me,

  1. How long should we take precautions at home to prevent him from getting sick?

  2. Would using antiviral or immune-boosting supplements help lower his risk?

Kindly help.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Chemotherapy suppresses the immune system and makes you more prone to infections. Hence, your husband is prone to catching the norovirus infection from your son. Antivirals may not be of any use. They can be used after getting a viral infection. Norovirus infection is a self-limiting illness in which symptoms last for four to five days. It can spread to all the members of a household with a single source of infection. Dehydration could be serious if water intake isn't maintained.

Preventive measures that you can take are,

  1. Maintaining adequate hygeine like hand washing.

  2. Properly cooking the meat and vegetables, and cleaning the food properly before cooking.

  3. Disinfecting areas contaminated with norovirus is crucial due to the virus's high contagiousness.

For disinfection, you can follow the following steps-

  1. You have to clean the surface first. Always use disposable gloves to protect yourself and others from exposure.

  2. Before disinfecting, clean the surface with soap and water to remove visible dirt and debris.

  3. Use a suitable disinfectant, such as bleach solution. You can use a diluted bleach solution (1/3 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water). Ensure the solution is fresh and the area is well-ventilated when applying.

  4. Laundering contaminated fabrics, including clothing, bedding, or towels, is necessary. Wash any contaminated fabrics in hot water (at least 140°F or 60°C) with a good detergent. Add bleach if safe for the fabric.

I hope this information helps you.

Feel free to ask further queries.

Thank you.

Answered byDr. Reema Wankar

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At May 16, 2026
Reviewed AtMay 16, 2026

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