Every year, up to 9.3 million – 41 million illnesses are recorded from viruses. A very particular one arises each year and it gets people to a very feeble, sickened state. This virus is known as the Norovirus. The Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis, leading to symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. It spreads very easily through direct contact with other individuals, contaminated food or water, and surfaces.

Norovirus is very resilient, surviving on surfaces for days and spreading through open and crowded places like schools, hospitals, and shopping malls. Once affected, the virus usually lasts 1-3 days, and dehydration can be a risk. It can also be a leading cause of stomach flu or food poisoning worldwide. Although there is currently no vaccine available for norovirus are actively researching potential vaccines due to the virus’ highly contagious nature and frequent outbreaks. In the absence of vaccines, prevention relies heavily on good hygiene practices, such as regular handwashing, disinfecting surfaces, and avoiding contaminated food and water to reduce the risk of infection. 

Another fun fact about the norovirus is that it’s a seasonal bug, typically named after “winter vomiting disease” since it’s common during colder months when people are trying to stay inside. To even further adjust that, you could get it more than once as it can be reoccurring and can be very serious with it being responsible for 71,000 hospitalized and hundreds of deaths each year. Stay safe and wash your hands!