William Schaffner: Norovirus is an intestinal virus that can make you very, very sick. It is indelicately called winter vomiting disease, and it begins suddenly, often with an explosive vomit that then repeats itself.

Lehigh Valley’s health networks are seeing abnormally high cases of the stomach bug that’s taking a large number of people out of action and leaving them stuck in the bathroom. Nationwide, outbreaks of norovirus,

Rates of norovirus in that CDC system have reached levels at or above last season's peak in all regions of the country. Norovirus test positivity rates look to be the worst in the Midwest, in a grouping of states spanning Kansas through Michigan.

New CDC data indicates a rise in cases of norovirus, often colloquially referred to as "stomach flu." Test positivity has spiked.

If you're ill with the "stomach flu," you're not alone. Norovirus is surging across Arizona, is highly contagious and spreads rapidly.

Hand sanitizer alone isn't enough to protect you from norovirus, experts say. So it's important to know how to stay safe and wash your hands properly.

Moderna is testing a norovirus vaccine in a phase three trial. Results could be available as soon as this year.

Norovirus cases are significantly increasing in the US and Canada. Moderna is developing an mRNA-based vaccine, currently in Phase 3 clinical trials, with the potential to be the first approved Norovirus vaccine by 2026.

In addition to the respiratory illnesses making their mark, a particularly nasty strain of norovirus, better known as the stomach bug, has been circulating throughout South Jersey and the surrounding areas.

Doctors in the United States are warning everyone to look for dehydration as an important symptom of norovirus infection, which has seen a significant rise across the country this winter season. According to experts,

Pomerene's Katie Wright suspects people are treating flu-like symptoms at home. "From a clinical perspective, we're not seeing an uptick in numbers."

Vigorous handwashing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is more effective at safeguarding against norovirus because the friction helps kill and dislodge more of the viral particles from the hands. Rinsing hands well with water helps send the particles down the drain.