The virus, which leads to nausea and vomiting, is spreading. Here’s how to stay safe.
Norovirus is extremely contagious, and, as anyone who has had it can tell you, extremely unpleasant. Cases of the illness — which can cause nausea, stomach pain and diarrhea — are on the rise in the United States, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Here’s what to know about norovirus, and how to protect yourself.
What are norovirus symptoms? How long do they last?
The illness commonly causes vomiting and diarrhea. Some people can develop a fever, body aches or stomach pain. “You feel pretty awful,” said Dr. Michael Angarone, an infectious disease specialist at Northwestern Medicine.
“If you’ve ever had it, you know you’ve had it,” he added.
Typically, symptoms emerge around 12 to 48 hours after someone is exposed to the virus. Most people infected with the virus will get better within one to three days. But norovirus can cause more serious illness in some patients, particularly young children and older people. In rare cases, it can lead to hospitalization and even death. If you think you have norovirus and feel very dizzy, or if your urine turns dark or you’re not urinating at all, you should seek medical attention, doctors said.