A common stomach bug is surging, according to new data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week of December 5, there were 91 outbreaks of norovirus reported, up from 69 the previous week. In the same period in recent years, there generally were 65 or less outbreaks per week. (It might not seem like a lot, but many more cases probably go unreported.)
With cases on the rise, more people may want to know how norovirus is spread, what symptoms to expect and how long they can expect to be sick. What should they do if they think they may have it? At what point should they go to the doctor? What food safety tips can reduce the risk of spreading norovirus? And what else can be done to prevent the spread of it and other foodborne illnesses?
To help with these questions, I spoke with CNN wellness expert Dr. Leana Wen. Wen is an emergency physician and clinical associate professor at George Washington University. She previously was Baltimore’s health commissioner, with responsibilities that included overseeing infectious diseases as well as food safety.
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