This highly transmissible winter virus is on the rise across the country — and its symptoms are a nightmare

Stuffy noses and annoying coughs aren’t the only symptoms of winter sickness. Many people are also getting sick with norovirus, a nasty stomach bug. The highly contagious virus is on the rise in many states across the country.

What is norovirus? “It’s our most common cause of vomiting and diarrhea, and actually the most common foodborne illness in the United States,” said Dr. Brintha Vasagar, a family physician in Wisconsin.

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Those two are the most common symptoms, but fever, body aches and stomach aches are also sometimes reported.

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We typically experience high rates of norovirus from November to April, so we’re still early in the season,” Vasagar added.

Norovirus cases are currently high, but down slightly from this time last year, said Dr. Camille Gooden said. However, “recently, there’s been an increase in norovirus … we’re seeing more positive tests,” Gooden added. It is caused by a new strain of the virus.

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The virus spreads easily and differently than other winter viruses. Here’s what to know:

Norovirus is spread through vomit and stool particles.

While common winter illnesses like the flu and COVID-19 are spread by coughing and sneezing, norovirus spreads differently.

“Traditionally, it is [spread through] What we call the fecal-oral route, so mouth to feces, but it’s a very flexible virus, so it’s not like you’re licking other people’s feces,” said Dr. Ross Newman, an Oregon pediatrician and medical communicator on social media.

Instead, the contaminated particles end up on people’s hands or the surfaces they touch — and can sometimes be airborne, he explained.

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A person with norovirus can become a carrier if they use a towel to dry their hands without washing their hands properly after using the bathroom. Then, if a non-infected person uses that towel to dry their hands, they can pick up the virus.

“It can be present on surfaces for a long time … it can be on blankets, gloves, clothes, hair, skin … or it can just be from dirty hands,” Newman added.

Contaminated surfaces can become a “source of spread,” Gooden added, adding that norovirus is common in long-term care settings, day care and cruise ships — all places where people are in close proximity and touch the same door handles, tables, light switches and toys.

It can also be spread through food.

According to Gooden, norovirus can also be spread through contaminated food. “If you eat unwashed and contaminated food, you can get sick,” Gooden noted.

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It can also come from a sick person preparing the food or from contaminated raw produce, she said.

“When you’re consuming raw vegetables and raw fruits you want to make sure they’re washed properly because sometimes, even on farms, there can be exposure to norovirus through the irrigation system,” Gooden said.

You don’t need any fancy product soap, but rather a good wash with water is enough to kill the virus, Gooden said.

Norovirus can also be spread by shellfish that are contaminated with infected water. In this case, fully cooked shellfish can kill the virus, according to Wasager.

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Hand sanitizer does not kill norovirus, which makes proper hand washing important for prevention.

“The best way to protect yourself is to wash your hands really well — and you should use soap and water. You can’t necessarily rely on hand sanitizers, especially if you’ve touched contaminated surfaces or been in contact with someone who’s sick with norovirus,” Gooden said.

A quick hand wash is not good enough; Use warm water and soap, and wash your hands for “the full Happy Birthday song, twice,” Vasagar emphasizes. “Most people don’t wash their hands long enough to be really effective.”

In addition to hand washing, bleach-based cleansers and frequent disinfection of laundry surfaces can kill the virus, Vasagar noted. This is especially important if someone in your household is sick.

“The spread … is so contagious that you have to work hard to make sure everyone in the family doesn’t get it,” Vasagar said.

If you are sick, stay home, hydrate and monitor for serious symptoms.

“Vomiting associated with norovirus is usually short-lived, 24 to 48 hours, but diarrhea can last up to two weeks,” Newman said.

People are most contagious in the first day or two after symptoms begin, but they can shed the virus for weeks after that point, Newman added.

If you’re sick, stay home (and keep sick kids home) if you can, all three experts told HuffPost. Also watch out for dehydration, which is “the biggest concern with complications from most stomach bugs,” Newman said.

“You’re losing a lot of fluid with vomiting, you’re losing a lot of fluid with diarrhea,” Vasagar said. Symptoms of dehydration include decreased urination, dizziness, dry mouth and confusion, and fatigue. If you notice any of these symptoms, see a doctor.

To combat dehydration, drink plenty of fluids, whether it’s water, tea, Gatorade or soup, Gooden noted. If you are throwing up, you should still drink small amounts of fluids.

“Monitoring for any development of serious symptoms is really important,” Gooden said. “If your symptoms persist for more than 72 hours, in general, it’s time that I recommend reaching out to your healthcare professional.”

If you have a fever, severe abdominal pain or develop blood in your stool, you should seek medical attention, Gooden added.

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