Norovirus Symptoms: What Does the Stomach Flu Feel Like? - Self

If there's one thing you don't want to endure right now (or ever, really), it's the symptoms of norovirus, a brutal stomach bug that tends to cause relentless diarrhea and vomiting for roughly one to three hellish days.

According to the most recent surveillance data from the CDC, cases of the gnarly illness have been ticking upward across the US since December. Northeastern states are seeing the biggest spike; as of mid-February, 13.4% of tests have come back positive. Meanwhile, other regions have also seen a steady climb, but with slightly lower rates. On average, southern states had a 9.5% positivity rate; the Midwest was at roughly 10%, and Western states hit about 12%.

This is expected for this time of year since norovirus—the most common cause of viral gastroenteritis (a.k.a. the stomach flu)—is somewhat seasonal. "It's a year-round [virus], but we hear about it more in the winter," Christopher Cao, MD, an assistant professor of gastroenterology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, tells SELF. (Research suggests the pathogen fares better at lower temperatures. It tends to pop up more and persist in the late fall, winter, and early spring.)

And it's extremely contagious: Norovirus spreads like wildfire, often through direct contact with someone who's infected—say, by caring for a sick person, or by sharing food or eating utensils with them. You can also catch it by touching contaminated surfaces, like a door or toilet handle, and then touching your face with unwashed hands.

Again, norovirus symptoms are pretty intense. Chances are, you'll quickly know something's up once they hit. Here's what this stomach flu feels like—and when it's time to see a doctor if you're can't-risk-leaving-my-bathroom sick.

1. Terrible stomach cramping or pain

It's easy to write off an upset stomach, but the abdominal cramping and pain typically caused by norovirus will be hard to ignore. Many people also experience uncomfortable nausea, per the CDC.

2. Diarrhea, vomiting, or both

Norovirus often causes persistent diarrhea and vomiting—sometimes both at the same time, Rabia A. De Latour, MD, gastroenterologist and assistant professor of medicine at NYU Langone, tells SELF. Per the CDC, it isn't unusual to feel "extremely ill" and deal with diarrhea or vomiting multiple times a day with the stomach flu. (That said, norovirus shouldn't cause any blood in your poop.)

3. Body aches and other flu-like symptoms

Your GI tract may not be the only part of your body that's in pain: Norovirus can also cause muscle aches (similar to those caused by the flu), fatigue, and headaches. These are common symptoms of a lot of infectious illnesses; when your immune system jumps into action to fight the bug, your protective cells trigger inflammation, which can lead to soreness and make you feel completely wiped out.

4. Fever and chills

A low-grade fever—meaning your temperature is somewhere between 99.6 and 100.3 degrees Fahrenheit—is a common symptom of norovirus, as are the chills. Like muscle aches, a fever can be a sign that your body is fighting an infection, and it can make you feel clammy or sweaty.

5. Severe dehydration

Because norovirus can set off seemingly nonstop diarrhea and vomiting, it's essential to be aware of your fluid intake once symptoms hit, Dr. Cao says: "One of the most frequent symptoms we see in patients is dehydration." This, in turn, can lead to muscle cramps, headaches, dizziness or lightheadedness, dark-colored urine, dry mouth, exhaustion, or feeling confused.

When to see a doctor about norovirus symptoms

If you have any combo of the symptoms above and they don't settle down after 48 hours—or you just feel really unwell and can't keep food or liquids down—it's time to seek medical help, Dr. De Latour says. Getting in touch with a primary care doctor is a good place to start, whether they're a provider you see regularly or one at an urgent care center.

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