Norovirus Cases Are Spiking. Here’s What You Can Do to Protect Yourself From This Highly Contagious Stomach Bug

If a case of the norovirus, aka a stomach bug, halted your holiday plans this season, you’re not alone. According to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),  there were 91 reported outbreaks of norovirus during the week of December 5. To put that into perspective, between 2012-2020, the maximum number of reported cases during the same time period was only 65. Although cases continue to soar, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family.

What is norovirus?

Norovirus, also known as the Norwalk virus, is a highly contagious virus that causes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and stomach pain. In some cases, it can also cause fever, headache, and body aches, but it is not the same virus that causes the flu. Although most people recover from the illness within three days, they can continue spreading the virus for two weeks or more, per the CDC.

How does norovirus spread?

Anyone can get sick with norovirus, but those who eat raw seafood, which may contain the virus, are at a higher risk of contracting it. Children, older adults, and folks with a compromised immune system are also at risk of contracting serious illness, according to the CDC.

Because norovirus is very contagious, you can contract it by having direct contact with someone with the virus, eating food and beverages handled by them, and sharing food utensils with them. In addition, you can get sick by touching contaminated surfaces and things so it’s very important to wash your hands frequently.

How can you protect yourself from norovirus?

If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it a million times: Washing your hands frequently is one of your best defenses against contracting norovirus. (FYI, norovirus is immune to hand sanitizers.) Whether you’re prepping food or changing dirty diapers, washing your hands with antibacterial soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds can help remove harmful pathogens. Avoiding raw seafood and thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables can also reduce your risk.

If you or someone in your household becomes sick with norovirus, the CDC advises staying home and avoiding contact with anyone else for at least 48 hours after symptoms subside. Infected areas (aka, bathrooms) of your home can be disinfected with a bleach solution (3/4 cup in a gallon of water), Roger Seheult, MD, a board-certified pulmonologist assistant clinical professor at the University of California Riverside School of Medicine and the School of Medicine and Allied Health at Loma Linda University in California, previously told Well+Good.

Unfortunately, there aren’t specific medications you can take to treat norovirus; you have to let the virus run its course. However, drinking plenty of fluids, particularly beverages with electrolytes, can help you stay hydrated and replenish lost minerals.