Feel Like Everyone Has the Stomach Bug? It’s Not Just You—Experts Explain Norovirus
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Norovirus cases are increasing across the country.
The virus causes intense vomiting and diarrhea.
Careful hand washing is important for prevention.
The winter stomach bug is back. Norovirus, a contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea, has been surging in the Northeast over the past few weeks.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show a clear upward trend in positive test results (just below 14%) in the area. But norovirus is surging in other areas, too. The South, Midwest, and Western states have all logged high numbers of cases.
Meet the experts: William Schaffner, M.D., an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine; Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security; Thomas Russo, M.D., chief of infectious diseases at the University at Buffalo in NY
The uptick comes at a time when cases of RSV, the flu, and COVID-19 are slowing down in the U.S. What’s going on here, and what can you do to lower your risk of getting norovirus? Doctors share symptoms, treatments, and prevention methods.
What is norovirus?
Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea, sometimes at the same time, according to the CDC. It’s the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea, and foodborne illness in the U.S.
It takes less than 100 norovirus particles to make a person sick, and a norovirus patient can shed billions of viral particles in their poop and vomit, the CDC says.
Anyone can get norovirus, which is sometimes called the “stomach flu” or “stomach bug,” and it has a reputation for being intense. “It’s usually two or three days of wishing you were dead, and then you recover,” says William Schaffner, M.D., an infectious disease specialist and professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.
Why are cases increasing now?
It can feel like norovirus is coming at an odd time—when seasonal illnesses are winding down—but the jump in cases is “typical” for this time of year, Dr. Schaffner says.
Cases usually increase around the holiday season and get particularly high in February and March, he says. Why? People are interacting indoors more, increasing the odds that the virus will spread.
The good news: Cases tend to dramatically drop throughout March.
Is there a test for norovirus?
There is a test for norovirus, but most people with the virus don’t actually get it. The test analyzes your poop, so it’s not something your primary care physician would typically order for you, explains infectious disease expert Amesh A. Adalja, M.D., a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. If you have a severe case of norovirus, though, you may get tested for the virus. “I use it on inpatients as part of a GI pathogen panel for those hospitalized with diarrhea,” Dr. Adalja says.
The test specifically looks for viral RNA (i.e. the virus’ genetic material) in your stool, and can be done in most labs, the CDC says.
Norovirus symptoms
While it’s hard to tell norovirus from other gastrointestinal illnesses without getting tested, the virus is known for being…intense. “Norovirus usually is associated with violent vomiting,” Dr. Adalja says.
If you have norovirus, the CDC says you may experience the following symptoms:
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Stomach cramps
Headache
Fever
Body aches
People with norovirus usually develop symptoms 12 to 48 hours after they’re exposed and most get better within one to three days, per the CDC. Still, it’s not fun when you have it. “Having norovirus could be one of life’s most miserable experiences,” says Thomas Russo, M.D., chief of infectious diseases at the University at Buffalo in NY. “People feel absolutely miserable.”
Causes of norovirus
The way norovirus spreads is admittedly gross: You get norovirus when tiny particles of poop or vomit from an infected person wind up in your mouth, according to the CDC. Norovirus is “extremely contagious,” Dr. Adalja says.
You can end up getting norovirus in a few different ways:
When you eat food or drink liquids that are contaminated with norovirus
When you touch surfaces or objects that are contaminated with norovirus particles and then put your unwashed fingers in your mouth
When you have direct contact with someone who is infected with norovirus
Norovirus treatment
There is no special medication for norovirus, but there are a few things you can do if you happen to get it. Staying hydrated is crucial, Dr. Russo says, noting that you lose a lot of fluids through vomiting and diarrhea. “It can be hard, because you feel nauseous, but it’s important,” he says. It’s important to take little sips of liquids if you’re struggling to keep things down, Dr. Schaffner says. “Gatorade is frequently recommended—it’s a balanced solution so that you get some nutrients and salt as well as your liquid,” he says.
You can also try bismuth products like Pepto-Bismol to help with the diarrhea and nausea, Dr. Adalja says. And, if you’re really struggling to keep anything in, call your doctor. “Often, a primary care physician is able to call in antiemetics (anti-nausea drugs) such as Zofran (ondansetron) to minimize the vomiting so hydration can occur,” Dr. Adalja says.
But if nothing else helps and you’re showing signs of dehydration (you’re not peeing much, you have a dry mouth and throat, or you feel dizzy when you stand up), you may need to go to the ER for IV fluids.
Norovirus prevention
Careful hand washing is key, Dr. Adalja says. You’re not doomed to get norovirus if one of your family members gets it, but Dr. Russo says that “norovirus can be difficult to avoid if it gets into your household.”
If you can, try to isolate the person who is sick, Dr. Schaffner says. It’s also crucial to perform good hand washing to try to lower the risk you’ll get infectious particles in your mouth. While it’s not officially recommended, Dr. Schaffner says that wearing a mask may also help, since norovirus particles can be aerosolized when someone who is sick vomits. (Another potential benefit of wearing a mask, per Dr. Russo: It can help you keep your hands away from your mouth.)
Is there a vaccine for norovirus?
Just a heads up: There’s no vaccine for norovirus, but Dr. Schaffner notes that researchers are looking into it. In the meantime, keep practicing good hand hygiene and do your best to avoid people who are obviously sick.
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