Do you think you have the "stomach flu" or a "stomach bug"?

According to the CDC, Norovirus is spreading rapidly across the US, especially in the Northeast.
Norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea, and foodborne illness in the United States. People of all ages can get infected and sick with norovirus, which spreads very easily and quickly.
The CDC offers the following information about Norovirus:

How Norovirus Spreads

Norovirus is very contagious and spreads very easily and quickly in different ways.
A person cutting vegetables, another holding some tomatoes in their hands, and another washing lettuce with water
You can get norovirus by accidentally getting tiny particles of feces (poop) or vomit in your mouth from a person infected with norovirus. If you get norovirus illness, you can shed billions of norovirus particles that you can't see without a microscope. It only takes a few norovirus particles to make you and other people sick.

You can get norovirus by:
- Having direct contact with someone with norovirus, such as by caring for them, sharing food or eating utensils with them, or eating food handled by them.
- Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus.
- Touching surfaces or objects contaminated with norovirus and then putting your unwashed fingers in your mouth.
You are most contagious:
- When you have symptoms of norovirus illness, especially vomiting.
- During the first few days after you feel better.

However, studies have shown that you can still spread norovirus for two weeks or more after you feel better.

Norovirus spreads through contaminated food.

This can happen when:

- A person with norovirus touches food with their bare hands.
- Food is placed on a counter or surface that has poop or vomit particles on it.
- Tiny drops of vomit from a person with norovirus spray through the air and land on the food.
- Food is grown with contaminated water, such as oysters, or fruit and vegetables are watered with contaminated water in the field.

Norovirus spreads through contaminated water
Recreational or drinking water can get contaminated with norovirus:

- At the source such as when a septic tank leaks into a well.
- When a person with norovirus vomits or poops in the water.
- When water isn't treated properly, such as with not enough chlorine.

Norovirus spreads through sick people and contaminated surfaces
This can happen when:

- A person with norovirus touches surfaces with their bare hands.
- Food, water, or objects that are contaminated with norovirus are placed on surfaces.
- Tiny drops of vomit from a person with norovirus spray through the air, landing on surfaces or entering another person's mouth.
- A person with norovirus has diarrhea that splatters onto surfaces.

Symptoms of Norovirus

It is probably norovirus, a common virus that is not related to the flu. Norovirus is the most common cause of vomiting and diarrhea, and foodborne illness.

The most common symptoms of norovirus are:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
Other symptoms include:
- Fever
- Headache
- Body aches

Norovirus causes inflammation of the stomach or intestines. This is called acute gastroenteritis.

A person usually develops symptoms 12 to 48 hours after being exposed to norovirus. Most people with norovirus illness get better within 1 to 3 days, but they can still spread the virus for a few days after.

If you have norovirus illness, you can feel extremely ill, and vomit or have diarrhea many times a day. This can lead to dehydration, especially in young children, older adults, and people with other illnesses. Children who are dehydrated may cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or fussy.

Symptoms of dehydration include:
- Decrease in urination
- Dry mouth and throat
- Feeling dizzy when standing up