Norovirus: The Winter Vomiting Bug

Norovirus: The Winter Vomiting Bug

Norovirus, also known as the "winter vomiting bug," is a highly contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. It is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the United States, and it can strike at any time of year, but it is most common during the winter months.

Symptoms:

The symptoms of norovirus typically appear within 12 to 48 hours of exposure to the virus. They can include:

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Nausea

Stomach pain

Fever

Headache

Muscle aches

Prevention:

There is no vaccine for norovirus, but there are steps you can take to prevent it, such as:

Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water

Avoiding close contact with people who are sick

Disinfecting surfaces that may be contaminated with the virus

Cooking food thoroughly

Avoiding raw shellfish

Treatment:

There is no specific treatment for norovirus. The goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and prevent dehydration. Most people recover from norovirus within 1 to 3 days.

Outbreaks:

Norovirus outbreaks can occur in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and restaurants. Outbreaks are often caused by contaminated food or water. 

The CDC:

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is a federal agency that tracks and investigates norovirus outbreaks. The CDC provides information on how to prevent and treat norovirus on its website.

Conclusion:

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that can cause vomiting and diarrhea. There is no vaccine for norovirus, but there are steps you can take to prevent it. If you do get norovirus, the goal of treatment is to relieve symptoms and prevent dehydration. Most people recover from norovirus within 1 to 3 days.

Additional Information:

Norovirus is a very small virus that can be easily spread.

Norovirus can survive on surfaces for several days.

People of all ages can get norovirus.

Norovirus is most common in young children and older adults.