Norovirus, which is most often spread through contaminated food or water, has been making its rounds again during the winter season.
While the symptoms can hit hard and fast, the small silver lining is that the illness is usually short-lived, clearing the system within one to three days.
If you’re unlucky enough to catch it, here’s what to know about getting through the next few days, including how to ease your symptoms and reduce the risk of spreading it to others.
Norovirus outbreak: What to know
What are the symptoms of norovirus?
These are symptoms of norovirus infection, according to the Minnesota Department of Health and the Cleveland Clinic:
Urinating less or dark-colored urine
Less common symptoms are:
Low-grade fever or chills
A person who is sick and has been infected with the virus will typically experience the symptoms suddenly. Children with the virus may be fussy, sleepy throughout the day and cry without tears.
People begin to show symptoms one to two days after they’ve been exposed to the virus, according to the Minnesota Department of Health. But symptoms can appear 12 hours after exposure.
Though a person infected with the virus may experience unpleasant symptoms, others may be asymptomatic and show no symptoms at all. But they can still be contagious and pass the virus to others.
Children younger than 5, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop severe infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
How to treat the stomach bug
There are no antivirals to treat norovirus, and the CDC warns against taking antibiotics because the medication won’t work and can lead to dangerous antibiotic resistance.
The best way to get through the stomach flu is to rest, stay hydrated and listen to your body, said Dr. Paul Sax, clinical director of the infectious disease division at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. That might mean not eating solid foods for most of the day.
“Don’t force yourself to eat if you’re not ready to eat,” Sax, who is also a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, previously said. “If you’re feeling a little better, then it’s time to introduce foods.”
What should you eat while sick with norovirus?
If you’re not ready for solids, Sax recommended drinking diluted sodas or juices to compensate for the lack of calories throughout the day.
It’s easy to get dehydrated with a stomach bug, so the CDC recommends drinking plenty of liquids.
When it’s time to reintroduce solid foods, many doctors will recommend the BRAT diet: bananas, rice, applesauce and toast. But Sax said a patient at the end of a norovirus infection can eat whatever they want if they feel their body is ready.
He recommended avoiding alcohol because it tends to slow recovery. Some people also avoid dairy products because norovirus can lead to a temporary lactose intolerance. The infection damages the gut lining, which leads to a lack of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose.
Even if patients feel better, Sax said, the virus can still be in their system.
How to avoid getting norovirus
Sax recommended practicing good hygiene if you’re sick to not spread it to other people.
Hand sanitizers are not effective against norovirus, so it’s important to wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, the CDC says.
Unfortunately, people can still pass on norovirus for two weeks or more after being infected.
Norovirus spreads very easily between people, for instance by sharing food, eating or drinking liquids handled by someone with the virus or touching contaminated surfaces and then putting unwashed fingers in your mouth, according to the CDC.
The most common cause of norovirus is contaminated food and water, according to Sax.
“There are certain foods that are more likely to have norovirus, and one of the more common villains in infectious disease are raw oysters,” Sax previously said.
Contributing: Julia Gomez; USA TODAY staff
Adrianna Rodriguez can be reached at adrodriguez@usatoday.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to know about norovirus causes, symptoms, and treatment
