Beware of norovirus, the stomach bug that spikes around the holidays

After Wednesday’s holiday festivities, did anyone in your home wake up with a stomach bug? It might be norovirus.

Norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 50% of all food-related illness outbreaks are from the virus.

The virus spreads easily and quickly through contaminated food and water. Cases often spike each year as people gather with family and friends.

There are about 2,500 reported norovirus outbreaks in the U.S. each year, and most infections happen from November to April, according to the CDC. An outbreak occurs when two or more people get sick from the same exposure.

From Aug. 1 to Dec. 11, there were 495 norovirus outbreaks reported to the CDC's NoroSTAT system. In that same period last year, there were 363 norovirus outbreaks. NoroSTAT is a national collaborative between the CDC and 14 state health departments.

What are the symptoms?

It doesn't take long to start developing norovirus symptoms. A person usually starts to feel sick 12 to 48 hours after being exposed, according to the CDC.

The most common symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain. A person might also develop a fever, headaches and body aches.

Dehydration is one of the more serious symptoms that can happen if someone gets extremely ill. If someone can't keep water down because of constant vomiting and diarrhea, they'll likely be dehydrated, which causes dizziness and a dry throat and mouth. Children who are dehydrated might also cry with few or no tears and may be unusually fussy and sleepy.

Most people recover after one to three days. There is no specific treatment for norovirus. The CDC advises people to stay hydrated as much as possible and to seek medical help for severe dehydration.

How does it spread?

Humans are the only source for norovirus, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. The virus originates in a person's feces and infects others when someone doesn't thoroughly wash their hands after a bowel movement then handles food. It can also spread in contaminated water.

The most common foods connected to an infection are leafy greens, fruit and shellfish, according to the CDC. Sharing utensils and food with an infected person can also spread the virus. Surfaces can also be contaminated.

A person is most contagious while they have symptoms, however, the CDC says the virus can still spread two weeks after recovering.

How can you avoid an infection?

Frequent handwashing is the best way to prevent the spread of norovirus, according to the CDC, especially after going to the bathroom or changing a diaper and before eating or preparing food.

Be sure to carefully wash fruits and vegetables and steam oysters before eating them.

Immediately clean thoroughly any surface contaminated with vomit or diarrhea. The state health department recommends a one-part bleach, nine-part water solution for cleaning. Remove and wash any clothing or linen that's also been contaminated.

A person infected with norovirus should refrain from any cooking while they have symptoms and for at least three days after they recover, according to the state health department.