No. Hand sanitizer is simply not as effective against norovirus as it at killing other pathogens due to the virus's firm shell, Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, told TODAY.com recently.

Put down the hand sanitizer and use soap, how to prevent Norovirus

Norovirus, unlike many viruses Americans have grown accustomed to protecting against, “can live on surfaces for a long time,” Sanjay Gupta reported to CNN. Norovirus can also survive at temperatures all the way up to 145 degrees Fahrenheit.

Norovirus, a familiar and repeat offender, is responsible for many recently increased reports of illnesses in Wyoming, according to the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH).

Hand sanitizer alone isn't enough to protect you from norovirus, experts say. So it's important to know how to stay safe and wash your hands properly.