This Super-Contagious Stomach Bug Is Surging Through the U.S. Right Now—Here's Who's Most At Risk
Woman experiencing norovirus symptoms
Norovirus is surging throughout the United States. While the name is probably alarming (post-2020, anything ending in "virus" is pretty triggering), chances are you've already had norovirus at least once. While it's super unpleasant, it usually isn't that serious—but that doesn't mean you shouldn't actively try avoiding it.
Find out all about the mega-contagious norovirus, where it's surging and what you should do to prevent and treat it.
Related: What to Do If You Have a Stomach Virus
What Is Norovirus?
Norovirus is often called a "stomach bug" or a "stomach flu." It's also often referred to as food poisoning since it can often be contracted through eating and preparing contaminated food.
Like the flu, it is a virus, but that's about where their similarities end, so calling it a "stomach flu" is a bit of a misnomer. It's also super contagious and really common.
Related: What's the Difference Between Food Poisoning and Stomach Flu?
Norovirus Symptoms
Norovirus symptoms can start within 12 hours of exposure, and they typically last from one to three days after onset.
Symptoms of norovirus can vary from person to person, but they generally include lots of gastrointestinal discomforts and inflammation of the stomach and intestines (gastroenteritis), according to Lisa Olson-Gugerty, MPH, DHSc, CHES, FNP-C, associate teaching professor with Syracuse University's David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics. If you have norovirus, you may experience:
Abdominal pain
Diarrhea
Nausea
Vomiting
Some people may also get a fever, chills, headaches and/or body aches. It's not fun!
The real dangers of norovirus come not from the direct symptoms themselves, but from dehydration, which diarrhea and vomiting can cause. "Some people may get severely dehydrated, especially young children, the elderly, and people with other illnesses," Olson-Gugerty says. "Each year, norovirus causes 56,000 to 71,000 hospitalizations and 570 to 800 deaths, mostly in young children and the elderly."
Dehydration symptoms can include dizziness (especially when standing), infrequent or lack of urination, dry mouth and fatigue.
Related: What the Sharp Pain In Your Stomach Might Mean
Who's At Risk for Norovirus?
Babies, young children and the elderly pose the highest risk of harm from norovirus—and again, much of that comes from the dehydration that norovirus symptoms can cause.
"For most people, norovirus only lasts a couple of days and causes gastrointestinal issues like stomach cramps. The disease is more dangerous in children," Dr. Matthew Laurens, MD, Pediatric Infectious Diseases Physician at the University of Maryland Children's Hospital and Professor of Pediatrics at the UM School of Medicine tells Parade. "It's often spread around places like daycares and schools. Billions of infectious virus particles are shed with each stool or each vomit. It only takes a few viral particles to infect someone—it's highly infectious and highly contagious. You can actually get the norovirus infection just by being near someone who's been vomiting."
Related: The Most Common Dehydration Mistake
How Worried Should I Be About Norovirus?
For most people, you shouldn't sweat it too much. "I do not think a person in general good health should worry about norovirus," Olson-Gugerty says. "It's the extremes of age—the very young and the very old and those with other co-morbidities that are most at risk for complications related to norovirus."
Related: How to Know If You're Drinking Enough Water
Where Is Norovirus Surging?
Norovirus has been surging in the northeast United States, according to the CDC. The CDC considers the northeast region composed of Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.
Related: What to Eat When You Have an Upset Stomach
What Should I Do if I Think I Have Norovirus?
For the most part, if you get norovirus, you'll have to tough it out for a few days—there's no magic cure. Olson-Gugerty recommends that you:
Do not prepare food for yourself or anyone else if and when you're ill and for at least two to three days after you recover.
Clean and disinfect contaminated surfaces thoroughly (especially immediately after suffering a bout of vomiting or diarrhea). Make sure you check the instructions on your disinfectant to make sure it's doing the job!
Minimize your risk of dehydration using an electrolyte replacement solution, such as Pedialyte, sports drinks or electrolyte waters
Contact your primary care provider about anti-nausea medication and the use of anti-diarrhea medication.
If your symptoms are really bad, Olson-Gugerty recommends going straight to the emergency room (not your primary care physician or urgent care), explaining, "Most urgent cares or walk-in immediate care facilities do not have the resources to properly treat your symptoms if severe."
Related: The Best Food to Eat If You're Nauseous But Hungry
How Can I Avoid Norovirus?
"Norovirus is spread through contact with the virus," Dr. Nipunie Rajapakse, MD, MPH at Mayo Clinic advises. "People sick with norovirus shed the virus in high amounts in their vomit and stool, so coming into contact with the virus is how you get sick. This can be through direct contact or contaminated food, or you can pick it up from a surface. That's why hand-washing is important and the best way to prevent getting sick with norovirus."
While norovirus is quite contagious, you can hedge your bets to prevent the illness, according to Olson-Gugerty. Keep yourself safe with the following tips:
Wash your hands carefully with soap and water whenever you use the restroom, before cooking and before eating.
Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly before eating or preparing.
Cook seafood thoroughly, especially oysters and other shellfish.
Wash your laundry thoroughly and frequently, especially any clothing or linens that may have gotten soiled or exposed to norovirus.
Next, Figure Out the Real Reason Why You're Nauseous
