Is It Norovirus, a ‘Abdomen Bug’ or One thing Else?

Norovirus outbreaks are popping up round america, inflicting concern throughout a winter when different diseases additionally appear particularly virulent. “Between August 1, 2024, and January 15, 2025, the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention tracked 1,078 norovirus outbreaks amongst taking part states by its NoroSTAT monitoring system — a big leap from the 557 outbreaks reported throughout the identical interval final seasonal yr. This improve can also be increased than outbreak ranges seen in earlier seasonal years (2012–2020 and 2021–2024),” says Dr. Patricia Pinto-Garcia, MD, MPH and medical editor at GoodRx. 

With an estimated 19-21 million norovirus diseases a yr in america, norovirus is each a typical sickness and generally confused with different diseases. We talked to docs who see norovirus within the broader panorama of infectious illnesses, giving us the main points on what distinguishes norovirus and the way we will deal with it, heal and forestall its continued unfold.

What’s norovirus? 

Norovirus is a rapid-onset viral an infection that manifests with gastrointestinal signs. Norovirus is unfold by contact with the virus on surfaces, in meals or by touching an individual who has the virus. It would not take a lot virus to contaminate somebody new, making it extremely contagious. Plus, you are not essentially immune even should you’ve had norovirus earlier than in latest weeks or months, since it may well come from completely different strains of the virus. 

Pinto-Garcia says norovirus signs can persist longer in younger youngsters, older adults and anybody with a weakened immune system. Though it’s commonest throughout the fall and winter, it additionally happens year-round. 

Norovirus signs and the way lengthy it lasts

Norovirus isn’t all the time identified by testing since solely round 13% of instances immediate a physician’s or hospital go to. The signs are distinctive, and therapy is commonly comparable whether or not gastrointestinal signs are particularly on account of norovirus or not.

“The basic signs are nausea/vomiting, belly ache/cramping and watery diarrhea. Vomiting is extra frequent with norovirus than many different viruses,” says Dr. Kari Neemann, MD, pediatric infectious illness specialist at Youngsters’s Nebraska in Omaha. “Different potential signs embody fevers, physique aches and headache. When you change into contaminated you typically will develop signs in 12-48 hours (speedy onset). Period of signs is mostly 1-3 days.”

Whereas norovirus signs are inclined to abate inside three days, the influence of dehydration and different secondary signs, like lack of urge for food, might take longer to resolve. Those that have skilled norovirus will nonetheless be contagious for weeks after their signs are gone, so it’s notably necessary to proceed a rigorous hand-washing routine and sanitize surfaces throughout the weeks after an infection. 

Norovirus versus the abdomen flu 

The abdomen flu or “abdomen bug” would not normally confer with an influenza virus; even when the flu has gastrointestinal signs, it’s primarily a respiratory sickness which will additionally produce fever, aches and fatigue. Abdomen flu and “abdomen bugs” are a conversational solution to confer with any sickness that produces gastrointestinal signs like diarrhea or vomiting.

Individuals might confer with their signs because the abdomen flu. Nonetheless, it’s sensible to deal with anybody with extreme gastrointestinal signs as if they might have norovirus, prompting these round them to sanitize surfaces and wash palms usually. Remedy of extreme gastrointestinal signs, even when not recognized as a specific “abdomen bug” like norovirus, is usually centered on relaxation and hydration. 

The best way to inform the distinction between norovirus and rotavirus 

Rotavirus is an sickness extra frequent in infants and younger youngsters that presents some signs much like norovirus, however realizing its course will help you keep away from worrying if a toddler has signs which can be out of the unusual for norovirus.

“[Rotavirus] an infection normally begins with acute onset of vomiting, adopted 24-48 hours later by watery diarrhea and may be related to fevers,” says Neemann. “Right here, signs develop a bit slower than norovirus. Onset of signs is normally from 1-3 days of publicity, and signs last more than norovirus at 3-7 days.”

Rotavirus vaccines can be found and scheduled when infants are just a few months previous to stop extreme sickness. Whereas the usual development of rotavirus takes longer than norovirus, in each diseases, a very powerful indicators to observe for are indicators of extreme dehydration.

“Youngsters who’re dehydrated will usually have decreased urine output (lower than one moist diaper or void in six hours), might cry with few or no tears, have dry mouth, sunken eyes, cool or clammy palms and toes and will change into extra sleepy or fussy,” says Neemann. “These would all be indications to hunt speedy medical consideration.”

Your physician may additionally weigh in on whether or not they suspect rotavirus or norovirus is accountable, however they could additionally give attention to treating the dehydration.

The best way to inform the distinction between norovirus and meals poisoning

Meals poisoning is an umbrella time period for any virus or bacterial an infection that produces extreme gastrointestinal signs and is acquired by insufficient security measures when making ready meals. Norovirus may be transmitted this fashion and is estimated to trigger 58% of foodborne diseases in america, however different infectious brokers will also be transmitted in meals.

Meals poisoning must be handled the identical manner you’d deal with norovirus at residence, within the sense of working exhausting to remain hydrated and relaxation till signs ease.

The best way to inform the distinction between norovirus, COVID and flu A/B?

Whereas COVID may be accompanied by gastrointestinal signs, it’s primarily a respiratory an infection and can sometimes current otherwise from norovirus. Equally, influenza A and B can current with quite a lot of signs however sometimes embody some respiratory signs. 

In case you have co-occurring extreme gastrointestinal signs with respiratory signs or sore throat, you possibly can test utilizing an at-home check to see if both the flu or COVID is current. Since additionally it is potential to have co-infections with a couple of sickness current, it is sensible to observe for dehydration and deal with your self with relaxation, hydration and a bland, easy-to-digest eating regimen. 

How is norovirus identified and handled?

Usually, norovirus therapy is managed at residence. An important therapies are resting when potential and rehydrating with water or oral rehydration fluids like Pedialyte, which must be consumed in very small quantities till vomiting stops.

“Consuming electrolyte-rich fluids, like sports activities drinks or hydration dietary supplements, will help change misplaced fluids,” says Pinto-Garcia. “There is no antiviral treatment for norovirus, but when nausea is extreme, your physician might advocate Zofran (ondansetron) to assist. In relation to diarrhea, test together with your supplier earlier than taking anti-diarrheal drugs — typically, it is higher to let your physique clear the virus naturally. They could additionally counsel probiotics or probiotic-rich meals, equivalent to yogurt, kefir or kimchi, to assist your intestine get better quicker.”

The primary danger consider these diseases is changing into too dehydrated, however persistent signs might point out a distinct downside if norovirus weakens your immune system. 

“In some instances, one other sickness — like a bacterial an infection that requires antibiotics — could possibly be accountable. You also needs to search medical consideration should you discover indicators of extreme dehydration, together with quick heartbeat, speedy respiratory, dizziness, excessive fatigue, confusion or bother pondering clearly,” says Pinto-Garcia. “If one thing feels off or signs aren’t enhancing, it is all the time greatest to test in with a healthcare skilled.”

The best way to forestall norovirus 

Norovirus outbreaks are fought with good hygiene and data. In any setting the place lots of people are in touch with one another, like colleges, daycare facilities, long-term care services and hospitals, it is important that individuals wash their palms with cleaning soap and water since hand sanitizer is much less efficient towards norovirus. Ceaselessly cleansing surfaces with a bleach resolution can also be useful; simply do not forget that bleach merchandise should not be utilized in mixture with different cleansing merchandise, since they’ll react and produce dangerous compounds. 

Info is the opposite essential piece of the puzzle. If somebody was in bodily proximity to others proper earlier than they skilled sudden and extreme signs that could possibly be norovirus, they need to let individuals know. That manner, everybody can redouble their hand-washing and sanitizing efforts. Faculties can implement further cleansing and keep away from contact with youngsters with signs in order that any outbreaks are as contained as potential.

The underside line

It does appear to be a tenacious pressure of norovirus is transferring by america this winter, as Pinto-Garcia factors out: “The CaliciNet knowledge from the CDC reveals that greater than 70% of norovirus instances in fall 2024 have been attributable to a pressure known as GII.17. It is potential this pressure causes extra severe sickness or spreads extra rapidly, which might account for why we noticed such a excessive leap.” It is sensible to train further warning till outbreak numbers drop. 

Even throughout a norovirus outbreak, stopping norovirus and managing norovirus signs comply with the identical protocol. Rigorous hand-washing with cleaning soap and treating surfaces usually with CDC-recommended, bleach-based cleansing resolution assist hold an infection at bay. If norovirus does enter your house or college, treating energetic norovirus signs with relaxation and hydration will give you the most effective path by the signs and again to well being.