If you are feeling sick to your stomach, you have plenty of company.
The number of stomach bug cases is surging this winter and is surpassing case counts from previous years.
Officially known as norovirus, the stomach bug can bring a world of misery to households, schools and cruise ships in the form of diarrhea and vomiting — sometimes minor, sometimes severe.
Northeastern health experts describe the steps people can take to avoid the highly contagious illness — and to recover as quickly as possible if they come down with a bug.
Wash your hands, frequently, with soap and water
“This particular norovirus this year seems to be a little nastier than some of the other ones we’ve seen, although none of them seem to be much fun,” says Neil Maniar, director of Northeastern’s master of public health program.
The total number of outbreaks reported during the 2024-25 seasonal year is already above the seasonal ranges reported since 2012, with only one exception, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
And caseloads are still climbing.
“Norovirus can cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, just general GI upset,” says Brandon Dionne, Northeastern associate clinical professor of pharmacy and health systems sciences.