When you’re infected with norovirus, you may experience a host of discomfort and symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The virus is the most common cause of stomach flu, aka “the winter vomiting bug,” and can also cause stomach and muscle pain. You’ll generally feel ill and dehydrated.
While norovirus can infect anyone, it can more seriously affect the elderly, people with low immunity, or women who are pregnant. In such cases, the infection may cause complications like severe dehydration. This virus can cause dizziness, dry mouth, and fatigue, among other serious symptoms.
Once you’re infected, you can infect those around you. We recommend taking precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones from getting infected with this stomach bug.
When there’s a so-called “stomach flu” outbreak, you should be aware that the infection can spread quickly in several ways:
Norovirus can spread through food or drinks served in public and private places, including restaurants, schools, or your own home. If you consume anything contaminated with the microbe, you’ll be infected and can potentially infect others. The virus may end up in food or water through:
When you touch a surface that’s contaminated with the virus, you risk getting infected if you then handle food items that you eat. The microbe can contaminate surfaces in ways like:
You should be careful when taking care of people with norovirus as they can infect you. This virus is normally passed by the oral-fecal route – putting infected material in your mouth — but it also can be transmitted through the air if someone vomits near you and you inhale the fumes through your mouth. You could get infected while changing bedding or diapers containing an infected person’s feces or vomit.
Once infected, you may start showing symptoms in the next 12 to 48 hours. In some patients, the symptoms disappear in one day, while others may take several days. However, the people around you are not safe from transmission even if you’ve recovered in three days. You may continue discharging feces contaminated with the virus for up to 14 days after recovery.
Patients with an underlying condition may continue shedding the virus for months. To protect your loved ones, colleagues, or customers, you may have your stool tested after recovery to confirm no traces of norovirus are detected.
Most people with mild or no norovirus symptoms don’t require treatment. The infection usually goes away in a few days. So, if you get infected, your priority should be to manage symptoms and avoid infecting the people around you, at home, or work.
However, you may want to get tested if it lasts longer than a week because many other health complications can cause diarrhea and vomiting. Your doctor can order stool testing for analysis.
Like many viral infections, norovirus has no specific medication treatment; care is supportive, and the infection normally runs its course. However, if the condition causes dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea, you will need to be rehydrated.
Your treatment options include:
Severe dehydration can cause serious health complications. If you or your child have lost a significant amount of fluids due to the infection, you may require intravenous (by vein) fluids administered in an ER.
Even though norovirus has no specific antibiotic “cure,” certain cases can and should be treated by a medical professional. See your doctor right away if:
If you suspect that you or your child has norovirus, don’t hesitate to visit one of our Family Care Centers for experienced guidance.
Proper hygiene is critical to prevent the spread of norovirus. If you or your child have the bug:
While norovirus can resolve in a few days without intervention, this isn’t guaranteed. Thankfully, the viral infection can be treated even if it’s accompanied by severe symptoms. Visit one of our urgent care centers in Irvine, Costa Mesa, or Fountain Valley for a conclusive diagnosis and treatment.
Dr. Bunten is originally from Huntington Beach, CA. He attended high school in Tokyo, Japan, went to college at UC San Diego and then to medical school in the Midwest. He returned home to California for residency training in Family Medicine at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. His immediate family all reside in Huntington Beach.
Dr Fishbein has been in the practice of family medicine for over 35 years in Irvine. He received his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University, medical degree from Chicago Medical School, and completed his family medicine residency at Memorial Hospital of Long Beach.
Dr. Kim is the Medical Director of Family Care Centers, Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at Hoag Hospital, and a recipient of the Physicians of Excellence award from the Orange County Medical Association. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine, and has been practicing in our community for over 20 years.
Dr. Memon is a board certified Family Medicine physician and recently completed her fellowship in Geriatrics at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. She attended Saint George’s University, School of Medicine and completed her residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Her interest in medicine started at an early age and has since evolved into a passionate career.
Dr. Gina Nguyen obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Irvine where she graduated Suma Cum Laude. She went to USC Keck School of Medicine, and returned to UC Irvine for a Family Medicine Residency. Since 2005, she worked at Kaiser Permanente, VNCOC, and Family Care Center Urgent Care.
Dr. Williams is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. He is a native to Orange County and returned home after completing his medical degree at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. After completing his residency in family practice he successfully completed a fellowship in sports medicine.
Dr. Hye Lee is a board-certified Family Practice Physician, affiliated with the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice.She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Riverside and earned her medical degree from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center. Afterward, she did her internship at Downey Regional Medical Center in California and has been a primary care physician since 2005.
Dr. Coyne is a board certified family practice physician and a California native. He completed his undergraduate degree at UCLA before earning his medical degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Dr Coyne spent 6 years in the US Air Force at Andrews and Luke Air Force bases, eventually separating as a Major. He enjoys working with patients of all ages.”
Dr. Jay Friehling is a Family Practice physician who has worked in Orange County since 1981. Born in Florida, he received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and then earned a Medical Degree at the New York Medical College.” His healthcare interests include Diabetes, Geriatric Care, and Hospice Care.
Dr. Jennifer Shoquist is board certified in Family Medicine. Her special interest is woman’s health and her practice accepts patients from 6 years old to seniors. Dr. Shoquist received her M.D. degree at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston in Houston, Texas, and did her residency with Memorial Family Practice at memorial Southwest Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Tom is a board certified family medicine physician and native Californian. He received his bachelors of science with great distinction in biochemistry and honors in chemistry. Dr. Tom was awarded a Regents Scholarship to attend medical school at UC Irvine.
Dr. Yan attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Family Practice residency at Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, California. She joined Family Care Center in 2001. She chose Family Practice because she enjoys working with a wide variety of people and because it provides a unique opportunity for continuing care.
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