(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — As the CDC reports a rise in the number of norovirus outbreaks across the U.S., local health experts are sharing ways to avoid the nasty stomach bug this winter.
When it was first identified, norovirus was often called the "winter vomiting illness."
"There does tend to be concentration of cases around this time of year, it might have something to do with the way the virus replicates or, even more likely, the way we get together and groups and travel and that sort of thing that tend to create these outbreaks," said Dr. Mark Loafman with Cook County Health.
Norovirus is one of the most common stomach bugs.
"In a typical year, there's thought to be around 50 million cases every year. It can happen any time of the year, but there does tend to be a concentration of cases around this time of year."
Dr. Loafman said symptoms of norovirus include vomiting and diarrhea and tend to come up pretty abruptly.
"You feel flu-like those symptoms, you know, body aches and just tired and nauseous. It runs its course for about two to three days."
Despite how bad it sounds, Dr. Loafman says norovirus isn't something to necessarily worry about.
"Absolutely be aware of and pay attention to. Most all cases resolve on their own. So you get through it, but it's a bad couple of days. So I think being aware of it and trying to prevent it is the most important part."
He said the key to preventing the virus is good hygiene.
"It's really soap and water and hand washing. And so that kind of 20 seconds of a good warm water with soap and scrub pretty vigorously is really what it takes to get that off of hands."
Dr. Loafman also recommends thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables.
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Bluesky
