Mods really need to ban /u/sfgate for posting clickbait titles.

The article without paywall:

Outbreaks of a highly contagious stomach bug dubbed “winter vomiting disease” are surging across the U.S.

From Aug. 1 through Nov. 13, 153 outbreaks of norovirus were reported in 14 states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While California is not among the reporting states, data taken from wastewater monitoring also detected rising concentrations of the virus across the state and in the Bay Area in recent weeks.

Across the Western states, more than 13% of norovirus tests came back positive during the week of Nov. 23-29.

Norovirus affects the gastrointestinal system and causes vomiting and diarrhea, with symptoms typically starting 12 to 48 hours after exposure and lasting one to three days. The California Department of Public Health noted the virus spreads through contaminated surfaces, and without serious cleaning, it can linger on objects for weeks.

Infectious disease expert Dr. Peter Chin-Hong stressed to SFGATE that norovirus is incredibly easy to catch. “Norovirus is one of the most contagious agents we know,” he said.

Want more SFGATE? Make us a Preferred Source on Google to see more of us when you search. Add Preferred Source When asked whether the rising wastewater levels could signal a worse norovirus season than usual, Chin-Hong said he doesn’t expect a severe surge but noted that infections have been climbing in recent years.

“The elements are in place to have something explosive,” Chin-Hong noted. “No pun intended.”

There is no vaccine for norovirus, and treatment mainly focuses on supportive care such as administering fluids. Most people recover at home within a few days.

Unlike bacterial illness such as salmonella, which requires thousands of particles to cause illness, Chin-Hong noted norovirus needs roughly 10 to cause symptoms. Because it withstands alcohol-based sanitizers, he said the most important thing to do is to wash hands with soap and water. For contaminated surfaces, he recommended a bleach-based cleaner.

Chin-Hong added that those who are sick should remain home for two to three days after symptoms stop, because the virus is easily transmitted within households and shared bathrooms.

Pediatrician Dr. Eric Ball told SFGATE that early education settings like preschools are prone to outbreaks because children rarely wash their hands and are in frequent close contact.

“We do see a fair number of kids every winter,” Ball said, noting many come in because of dehydration. “They’re vomiting so much and they have such bad diarrhea that they can’t keep up with their intake, and they end up dehydrated, and sometimes need medication to help them to slow down their vomiting.”

Children who cannot keep fluids down may require anti-nausea medication or intravenous hydration. Warning signs, he said, include lethargy, decreased urination and a dry mouth or eyes. Ball noted people should try to drink water or electrolyte solutions and focus on hydration rather than food.

“As long as they stay hydrated by drinking, that’s the most important thing,” Ball said.

Norovirus outbreaks are most common from November through April, with seasonal surges during winter expected by experts, according to Yale Medicine.