What is Norovirus?
Norovirus is often called food poisoning or the stomach flu. It is caused by a virus and is very contagious. Most people will get norovirus multiple times throughout their lives.
Symptoms
The main symptoms are vomiting and diarrhea. You also may feel nauseous, have a low fever, headaches, body aches or have stomach cramps.
Prevention
Norovirus spreads very easily. If you are sick, stay home and disinfect surfaces. If you become ill from eating contaminated food, you can still pass the virus to other people.
Treatment
There is not a medicine to treat norovirus. Most people recover within 3 days. Drink lots of liquids to avoid dehydration. If you become dehydrated, go to the hospital. Children and seniors are especially at risk for dehydration. Eat a bland diet when you are ready to eat again. Foods such as rice, applesauce, toast or bananas are ways to ease back into eating. Avoid dairy, caffeine, alcohol and fatty foods until you feel better.