A positive result suggests that norovirus is the cause of gastrointestinal disease (diarrhea or vomiting); however, in certain patients (eg, immunocompromised hosts), norovirus may be shed for weeks to months in the absence of symptoms.
This test should not be used as a test-of-cure, due to the fact that norovirus nucleic acid may be detected in patients for weeks to months following the resolution of symptoms.
A negative result suggests that norovirus is not the cause of gastrointestinal disease (diarrhea or vomiting); however, viral nucleic acid may be present at a level that is below the limit of detection for this test. The results should be interpreted in the context of the patient's clinical presentation and other laboratory findings.