--- title: What is Norovirus? 5 Things to Know About the Stomach Bug description: Chipotle customers in Virginia recently contracted norovirus, also referred to as winter vomiting bug. Here's everything you need to know. canonical: https://time.com/4864685/norovirus-outbreak-what-to-know/ author: Sarah Begley article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2017-07-19T18:11:17.000Z article:modified_time: 2026-02-23T16:37:26.072Z article:section: Health og:title: Norovirus Is the Worst. Here's What to Know About It og:description: From how it spreads to prevention og:url: https://time.com/4864685/norovirus-outbreak-what-to-know/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt09b36f388307029a/6988d64c196cf4e635041174/norovirus.jpeg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 3630 og:image:height: 2042 og:image:alt: Norwalk Virus og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: Norovirus Is the Worst. Here's What to Know About It twitter:description: From how it spreads to prevention twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt09b36f388307029a/6988d64c196cf4e635041174/norovirus.jpeg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # Norovirus Is the Worst. Here's What to Know About It > Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. 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Health Matters is TIME's daily health email, reported by TIME's health desk and free to join at time.com/newsletters. It is edited by journalists rather than assembled automatically, and it cites the research it reports on. #### Is Health Matters free? Yes. Health Matters is a free daily newsletter from TIME, available at time.com/newsletters. #### Who reads TIME's Health Matters newsletter? Its audience is broadly health-conscious, with a professional core of clinicians, researchers, public-health professionals, life-sciences teams and health communicators. by [Sarah Begley](https://time.com/author/sarah-begley/) ## Sarah Begley Jul 19, 2017 6:11 PM UTC  An Electron Micrograph Of The Norovirus, With 27 32Nm Sized Viral Particles. An Electron Micrograph Of The Norovirus, With 27 32Nm Sized Viral Particles. BSIP—UIG via Getty Images by [Sarah Begley](https://time.com/author/sarah-begley/) ## Sarah Begley Jul 19, 2017 6:11 PM UTC [Chipotle](http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/chipotle-shuts-down-virginia-restaurant-over-reports-norovirus-n784081?cid=par-twitter-feed%5F20170719) confirmed on Tuesday that multiple customers were sickened after eating at a location in Sterling, Va., reporting symptoms consistent with [norovirus](http://time.com/4143382/norovirus-confirmed-in-outbreak-chipotle-boston-college/). Also known as the winter vomiting bug, norovirus is the most common cause of the [stomach flu](http://time.com/4703804/food-poisoning-vs-stomach-flu/). Here’s what to know about the highly contagious virus: ## What is norovirus? [Norovirus](http://time.com/4212692/chipotle-closed-stores-norovirus-burrito/) is a stomach bug that causes inflammation of the stomach or intestines. As a result, symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain and fever. According to the [Mayo Clinic](http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/norovirus/symptoms-causes/dxc-20306338), symptoms usually come on between 12 and 48 hours after exposure to the virus and last between one and three days. While contagion is low after a couple of days, you could continue to shed the virus for up to eight weeks. ## How does norovirus spread? You can catch norovirus by eating contaminated food or drinking contaminated liquids. You can also get the virus by touching a surface where norovirus lives and then touching your mouth, nose or eyes, according to [WebMD](http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/food-poisoning/norovirus-symptoms-and-treatment#3). Sharing food or utensils with someone who is contaminated could also spread the virus. ## How do you cure norovirus? Most healthy people will recover from norovirus on their own, but those with severe dehydration should see a doctor. Symptoms that signal that level of dehydration include fatigue, dry mouth and dizziness, according to the [Mayo Clinic](http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/norovirus/symptoms-causes/dxc-20306338). ## **What can you eat when you have norovirus?** It’s important to stay hydrated and restore electrolytes. Adults should drink plenty of water and try soup or juices, per WebMD; if they feel like eating, they can stick to plain foods like rice and bread. Children should avoid sugary drinks and opt for fluids that pack lots of electrolytes, like Pedialyte. ## How to prevent norovirus? Frequent hand washing — especially before preparing or eating food — can help prevent the virus from spreading. If you’re sick with norovirus, do not prepare food and disinfect all surfaces. 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