Skip to main content
Get in touch
Get in touch
Toggle dark mode

Health library

Back to health library

Norovirus alert!

A woman holds both hands to her stomach as though she feels sick.

Jan. 5, 2026—Whether you call it a stomach bug or winter vomiting disease (though it is around all year long), getting sick from a norovirus infection can be a miserable experience.

Norovirus causes gastroenteritis, an inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. That leads to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps, as well as fever, headaches and body aches. Once you're exposed to norovirus, it takes a day or two for symptoms to show up. And it'll be another one to three days before you recover.

Because norovirus is super contagious, it spreads quickly, most often through contact with door handles, countertops or other contaminated surfaces. When a contagious person touches a doorknob, for instance, virus particles are left behind. Virus particles can live for days or even weeks on these surfaces, allowing them to infect anyone who comes in contact with them. That's why crowded places like nursing homes, schools, day care centers and restaurants are notorious for outbreaks.

Down with the sickness

There's no cure for norovirus, but there are things you can do to cope. These include:

Staying hydrated. Frequent vomiting and diarrhea can quickly cause serious dehydration. Try to drink plenty of water or other fluids in frequent, small sips. And stay away from caffeinated beverages and cold or flu medicines.

Easing back into eating. The American Medical Association recommends following the BRAT diet—bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. As you begin to recover, these foods help get your system back to normal.

Checking in with your doctor. If symptoms last more than 72 hours, make an appointment. Your doctor may prescribe antidiarrheal medicines or IV fluids if necessary.

Steer clear of norovirus

To avoid getting sick, stick to these tried-and-true tactics:

  • Wash your hands frequently—for at least 20 seconds each time—with soap and warm water. (Get the job done right with our easy handwashing infographic.) Frequent handwashing is particularly important if you're caring for someone who is already sick. And skip the hand sanitizers. They can’t kill norovirus.
  • Wash items that sick people around you have come in contact with, such as dishes, cups, towels, clothes and bed linens.
  • Sanitize surfaces. Wipe down cutting boards, counters and other surfaces with a mild bleach solution (5 to 25 tablespoons of bleach per gallon). Leave on for five minutes. (Don't forget to wear rubber gloves!)
  • Take care when preparing food. Norovirus also hitches rides on food surfaces. Scrub fruits and vegetables under running water. If you prepare shellfish like clams or oysters, make sure you cook them to an internal temperature of 145 degrees.

Viruses are always changing and adapting, which means you can catch norovirus again if you're exposed to a new strain. You can keep others safe and help stop the spread of viruses by staying home when you're sick.

Sources

Read more breaking news Related stories
Featured Topics
Quick Links