Stomach bug norovirus surges in Texas and US, causing vomiting, diarrhea

Norovirus, the stomach bug that can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, is surging throughout the U.S., and cases are rising in Texas as well.

The highly contagious contagious virus can spread easily, and is the most common cause of unpleasant symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.

“Especially this time of year, it’s pretty common to see norovirus,” said Dr. I. Carol Nwelue, the chief of hospital medicine at Baylor All Saints Medical Center Fort Worth. “We’re seeing it more than we have in the recent past.”

The share of people testing positive for norovirus increased to 13.5% in last week in the South, and could continue to rise. That means that of everyone getting tested, more than 1 in every 10 people has the bug. Last year, norovirus peaked in mid March in the South, with 16.5% of all tests performed coming back positive for norovirus.

There’s no data of the exact number of norovirus cases in Texas, because the virus is not a reportable condition in the state.

What are the symptoms of norovirus?

For most people, norovirus will cause some unpleasant symptoms, like nausea, vomiting, stomach cramping and diarrhea.

The main concern, Nwelue said, is to make sure you’re staying hydrated while sick.

Most people we’ll feel better within 48 hours, Nwelue said. But those who are still sick after 48 hours and who are having trouble keeping fluids down should seek medical care so they don’t get dehydrated.

Older adults, children, and people with chronic conditions could be at higher risk of getting dehydrated and should be careful to keep drinking fluids.

How does norovirus spread?

The virus is very infectious: One infected person can infect between two and seven people, according to a modeling review from 2018. People who are sick should stay home while they are experiencing symptoms.

An infected person spreads the virus easily through contact, Nwelue said. So if an infected person touches lots of surfaces or is preparing a meal, an uninfected person can easily catch the virus if they touch the same objects as the infected person.

The best thing to do is to wash your hands really, really well, Nwelue said. She added that washing your hands with soap and water is more effective against norovirus than using hand sanitizer. If someone is sick with norovirus in your household, you should clean surfaces with bleach and wash soiled laundry with hot water, according to the CDC.

Nwelue also recommended rinsing any produce with water before eating it.

In the Southern states, norovirus usually peaks in April, Nwelue said, so norovirus cases may continue to rise over the next few weeks.