(WWJ) - Medical experts say cases of norovirus, also known as the stomach flu, are climbing.
Dr. Teena Chopra, an infectious disease specialist at the Detroit Medical Center, said cases nearly doubled in December. The virus is highly contagious, and only a few particles are enough to make someone sick.
Different foods can cause the illness, including undercooked oysters and fruits and vegetables grown with water that contains the virus, Chopra said. Surfaces not properly cleaned can also cause infection.
While many call it “stomach flu,” norovirus isn’t a form of influenza. The virus typically causes nausea, vomiting, stomach pain and diarrhea, but it can also cause fever, headaches and body aches.
There is no antiviral for norovirus, meaning managing symptoms is the best way to combat it. Most people have symptoms beginning 12 to 48 hours after exposure, with norovirus clearing after one to three days in most healthy adults. Chopra said it’s important to get medical treatment if symptoms are more severe.
"If you are feeling dehydrated or if you're feeling severely fatigued from dehydration because of severe nausea and vomiting, you should go to the hospital,” she said.
Officials said norovirus is the leading cause of foodborne illness in the country, causing 58% of foodborne illnesses every year. There are between 19 and 21 million illnesses, 109,000 hospitalizations and 900 deaths caused each year, according to the CDC.
The best ways to avoid getting sick are thoroughly cooking food, washing fruits and vegetables before eating them, cleaning counters and washing your hands for 20 seconds after going to the bathroom, changing a diaper, before eating or when preparing food. Hand sanitizer isn’t enough to kill the virus.
Avoiding contact with people that are sick is also key. Chopra said people who are sick should try to not be in close contact with others.
"Usually, you are most contagious when you have symptoms of the virus,” Chopra said. She added that you may still be contagious a few days after you start feeling better.
The CDC said more than 90 outbreaks of the virus were reported during the week of Dec. 5.
Minnesota reported almost double the normal number of outbreaks for December. An event celebrating Los Angeles restaurants sickened at least 80 people. The illness was linked to raw oysters served at the event.