This virus is running rampant in SC and there is no vaccine. Here’s how to protect yourself
Norovirus, also called stomach flu and the “winter vomiting disease,” is making the rounds this year.
Between August and December of 2024, there were 495 recorded norovirus outbreaks, a 36% increase from last year according to the Centers for Disease Control.
The latest available data from the CDC reported 91 cases during the week of December 5, double the number of cases recorded in December of previous years.
What is norovirus?
Norovirus is a foodborne illness and the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea.
It causes inflammation of the stomach or intestines (called acute gastroenteritis). Anyone can contract the virus as it is highly contagious.
Even though it is commonly called other names like the “stomach bug” and “stomach flu” it is not related to the influenza virus, which causes respiratory illness.
How do you get sick with norovirus?
According to the CDC, most outbreaks of norovirus illness happen when infected people spread the virus to others, usually through direct contact.
This happens when you care for someone who has been sick or by sharing food or utensils. Food, water and surfaces contaminated with norovirus can also cause outbreaks.
Other ways to contract the virus include:
Eating raw oysters and other shellfish because they may contain viruses and bacteria that can lead to illness.
Particularly seen in children, putting unwashed fingers in your mouth after touching contaminated objects or surfaces.
Outbreaks are often fast-spreading and tough to control.
“With higher cases than normal in flu and walking pneumonia, we’ve seen an increase in norovirus for those of all ages. I recommend washing your hands frequently and staying updated on vaccines,” said Dr. Anna Rye Burch, a pediatric infectious diseases physician, in a press briefing with Prisma Health.
Norovirus causes an average of 19–21 million illnesses, 109,000 hospitalizations and 900 deaths annually in the U.S., per the CDC.
What are the symptoms of norovirus?
With more cases than normal and respiratory cases like flu also on the rise, it’s good to know how to decipher the symptoms you may be experiencing.
Individuals typically develop the following symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to norovirus:
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Stomach pain
Fever
Headache
Body aches
Dehydration
The illness itself doesn’t last longer than a day or two.
Norovirus outbreaks tend to peak during the cooler winter months, often when more people are crowded indoors. The winter holidays often lead to more transmission and exposure to food-borne illnesses.
What to do if you get sick
If you do get sick with norovirus, the South Carolina Department of Public Health outlines these steps to help recover:
Stay home
Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and warm water
Hand sanitizer can be used, but should not replace hand washing when preventing norovirus
Stay hydrated
Rest
Do not prepare food in the kitchen while you are sick
Wait three days after being sick to handle food and/or cook
“Washing your hands is one of the most effective ways to protect from viruses, germs and bacteria. With norovirus, hand washing is one of the best ways to protect yourself,” Burch said.
Norovirus often resolves on its own, but rest and consistent hydration can help manage symptoms.
How to stay healthy
While there is no vaccine to prevent the spread of norovirus, there are ways to protect yourself and others:
Wash your hands
Cook oysters and shellfish thoroughly
Wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly
Disinfect contaminated surfaces with a bleach solution. (The Environmental Protection Agency has a list of disinfectants that work against norovirus here)
Wash dirty clothes or bedding on high-heat
Stay hydrated
“This season has been really bad, it’s nothing we can’t handle but we want everyone to be careful and protect yourself and others. There’s no such thing as washing your hands too much,” said Dr. Helmut Albrecht, physician of infectious diseases, in a press briefing with Prisma Health.
The best thing you can do to stay healthy is practice proper hand hygiene and disinfection to prevent norovirus infection, according to the SCDPH.
Each year, about 2,500 norovirus outbreaks are reported in the U.S., per the CDC. These can occur throughout the year but are most common between November and April.
Norovirus is not a trackable disease in South Carolina, but the SCDPH states that they frequently receive reports of outbreaks and assist facilities with reducing further disease spread.
To learn more or track norovirus cases, visit the CDC National Outbreak Reporting System website.
This story was originally published January 16, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
