Norovirus is a very contagious virus. You can get norovirus from an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces. The virus causes your stomach or intestines or both to get inflamed (acute gastroenteritis). This leads you to have stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea and throwing up. Other symptoms may include fever, headaches and body aches.
Anyone can be infected with norovirus and get sick. Also, you can have norovirus illness many times in your life.
Norovirus illness can be serious, especially for young children and older adults. The best way to help prevent norovirus is to practice proper hand washing.
For more information go to the MA Department of Health Norovirus Fact Sheet.