If you've ever had it, you know how awful this one can be. But there are easy, expert-approved steps to help avoid it this year.
This time of year, we prefer to focus on family, food, and friends as we gather and celebrate for the holidays. But those get-togethers could, unfortunately, also be the catalyst for the spread of one particularly unpleasant virus—and no, it’s not the flu or COVID.
According to recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cases of norovirus are beginning to spike, with the positive test rate doubling from the summer. About 14% of tests came back positive for norovirus during the week ending November 15, versus about 7% during the summer months.
Norovirus, also known as the “winter vomiting disease,” is a highly contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea from acute gastroenteritis, according to the CDC. Gastroenteritis occurs when the stomach and intestines are inflamed—and the health authority reports that norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea illnesses caused by acute gastroenteritis among people of all ages across the country.
The virus is also sometimes called the “stomach bug” or the “stomach flu,” but norovirus is not related to the flu virus. “Something to keep in mind is that norovirus is a gastrointestinal illness, which makes it different from the typical seasonal flu that affects the respiratory system during the same time of year,” Betsy Koickel, MD, chief medical officer for GoHealth Urgent Care, told The Healthy. “So, if someone is dealing with intense stomach symptoms without the classic flu signs like cough or body aches, this virus is often the culprit.”
Catching norovirus can happen at any time of the year, but it tends to be most prevalent between November and April, according to the American Medical Association. To make things more complicated, norovirus doesn’t just spread person-to-person—it can also contaminate food and is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the U.S., according to health experts.
“Norovirus tends to come on very suddenly, and the most common symptoms are pretty unmistakable, including severe vomiting, watery diarrhea, stomach cramps, and nausea,” says Dr. Koickel. “They feel explosive, but the good news is that they usually pass within a couple of days.”
Currently, norovirus rates are lower than they were at the same time last year. Between August 1, 2025 and November 25, 2025, there have been 153 norovirus outbreaks reported by participating states. In the same time period last year, there were 235 reported outbreaks. Last year’s particularly aggressive norovirus season was caused by a newer variant of the virus, GII.17. According to the CDC, cases of GII.17 grew by 74% in the 2024-2025 season, far surpassing the previously dominant strain, GII.4. It’s too early in this year’s season to know what will be the dominant norovirus strain, per the CDC.
Preventing norovirus “really comes down to being consistent with hygiene,” says Dr. Koickel. “Washing your hands with soap and water (for at least 20 seconds) is the most effective way to stop the virus from spreading. Be sure to wash your hands before eating or drinking and avoid touching your face and nose.”
It’s also important to sanitize surfaces well if someone in your household is sick. Dr. Koickel recommends making a bleach solution to kill norovirus on surfaces effectively. “Using a bleach-based solution (1/3 cup of bleach to one gallon of water) on high-touch or contaminated surfaces and letting it sit for at least five minutes is key,” she says.
If you or someone in your household does catch norovirus, it’s important to rest and drink liquids to replace lost fluids from vomiting or diarrhea to prevent dehydration. Cleveland Clinic experts recommend watching for the following signs for dehydration:
- Urinating less often, or having dark colored urine
- Having dry mouth
- Feeling weak or dizzy
- Headache
- Crying without tears (children)
- Fussiness (children)
- Sleepiness throughout the day (children)
“For most people, norovirus can be managed with rest and staying hydrated, but there are times when it’s a good idea to see a medical professional, such as signs of dehydration, if vomiting lasts more than a full day, diarrhea goes on for more than three days, or there’s severe stomach pain or any blood in stool or vomit,” says Dr. Koickel.
But she cautions that older adults, young children, and people with underlying health conditions should also watch for any worsening symptoms because these groups can become dehydrated much more quickly.
For daily wellness updates, subscribe to The Healthy newsletter and follow The Healthy on Facebook and Instagram. Keep reading:
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