As though chilly and flu season wasn’t sufficient to handle, there may be some other illness on the upward push: norovirus.Norovirus circumstances have jumped up around the nation, in line with new information from the Facilities for Illness Regulate and Prevention (CDC). All the way through the week of December 5 (which is the latest information to be had), there have been 91 suspected or showed norovirus outbreaks reported to state well being departments around the nation. By means of comparability, there have been simply 41 suspected or showed outbreaks throughout the similar week from 2021 to 2024. Mainly, there’s a ton of norovirus floating round in the market. Norovirus isn’t any funny story—it may possibly reason vomiting and diarrhea (continuously on the similar time), making for a depressing enjoy. With that, it’s comprehensible to need to decrease the percentages you’ll get the virus and take note of early indicators. Right here’s what you wish to have to learn about signs of norovirus, plus what to do should you’re unfortunate sufficient to get it. Meet the professional: Infectious illness professional Amesh A. Adalja, MD, is a senior student on the Johns Hopkins Heart for Well being Safety.What are the primary signs of norovirus?Norovirus has a tendency to return on laborious and rapid. “Nausea and or vomiting are normally the primary signs of norovirus,” says infectious illness professional Amesh A. Adalja, MD, a senior student on the Johns Hopkins Heart for Well being Safety.Comparable StoriesYou may additionally have abdomen pains, fever, headache, and frame aches, in line with the CDC. How does norovirus unfold?Norovirus is “extremely contagious” and spreads a couple of alternative ways. The ones can come with having direct touch with anyone who has the virus, consuming meals or ingesting liquids which might be infected with norovirus, and touching infected gadgets or surfaces after which hanging your unwashed fingers on your mouth, in line with the Mayo Health facility. Noroviruses can live on for as much as 12 hours on laborious surfaces, in line with the UK’s Nationwide Well being Provider. On infected carpet, the virus can last as long as 12 days.What’s the easiest way to regard norovirus?There’s no set remedy for norovirus, and drugs like antibiotics received’t do anything else that will help you to really feel higher, in line with the CDC.As an alternative, supportive care is absolute best, Adalja says. That comes with doing such things as taking small, widespread sips of liquids to take a look at to stop dehydration and taking acetaminophen to assist with frame aches and a fever. How lengthy does it take to get well from norovirus?The excellent news with norovirus (if there’s any) is that the general public generally tend to really feel higher inside of one to 3 days, in line with the CDC. How lengthy are you contagious with norovirus?Whilst the general public recover from norovirus in a couple of days, you’ll be able to be contagious for lots longer than that. In truth, you’ll be able to nonetheless unfold norovirus for as much as two weeks after you are feeling higher, in line with the CDC. How can I give protection to myself from the norovirus?Whilst norovirus is uncomfortable for everybody, Adalja says it’s in particular regarding for people who find themselves prone to changing into dehydrated—“normally the very younger and the very previous.”Comparable StoriesTo decrease the percentages you’ll get in poor health with norovirus, he recommends doing all of your absolute best to keep away from people who find themselves clearly in poor health and washing your fingers continuously. That is actually all you’ll be able to do, Adalja says. Sadly, norovirus infections can and do occur. “Norovirus is a ubiquitous virus that everybody studies more than one occasions of their existence,” Adalja says. The most productive you’ll be able to do is attempt to keep away from it.Korin Miller is a contract creator that specialize in common wellness, sexual well being and relationships, and way of life traits, with paintings showing in Males’s Well being, Girls’s Well being, Self, Glamour, and extra. She has a grasp’s stage from American College, lives through the seaside, and hopes to possess a teacup pig and taco truck someday.