DETROIT – Norovirus, a common cause of stomach flu, is impacting Michigan families earlier and more intensely than usual this year.
Pediatrician Dr. Tiffney Widner at Children’s Hospital of Michigan explains that while norovirus is not typically tested for specifically, stomach flu cases are rising.
“We usually start seeing peaks of stomach flu between November and December,” Dr. Widner said. “But this year, respiratory viruses and stomach flu are appearing earlier than expected.”
Symptoms of norovirus include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and sometimes fever.
The virus spreads easily, primarily through fecal-oral transmission, making handwashing with soap and water essential. Hand sanitizer is ineffective against norovirus.
“The airborne aspect comes into play if someone is vomiting,” Dr. Widner said. “Viral particles can spread through the air in those cases.”
The illness typically lasts two to three days. Staying hydrated is critical to avoid hospitalization. Dr. Widner advises parents to seek emergency care only if children cannot keep fluids down or symptoms persist longer than expected.
Jamie Kennedy, a mother of six children, shared her family’s experience with norovirus.
“It was a domino effect,” she said. “The baby started first, then my three-year-old, then my 13-year-old.”
Kennedy described the chaos of frequent bathroom breaks and severe diarrhea.
“We can laugh at it now, but during it was not a pleasant experience at all,” she said.
Her family managed the illness through isolation and strict hygiene.
“Every time they come home from school, wash your hands, go do a chore, wash your hands again,” Kennedy said.
Data from the WastewaterSCAN Dashboard shows norovirus levels climbing steadily across Michigan since mid-October. Among six wastewater treatment plants monitored, Ann Arbor reported the lowest number of cases, while Mt. Pleasant and Traverse City competed for the highest number of cases.
Five of the six data collection sites, including Jackson, Jenison, Mt. Pleasant, Traverse City, and Warren, are in the high category for norovirus levels. Ann Arbor is the only site listed in the medium category.
Experts emphasize that the norovirus’s tough protein coat makes it resistant to many household cleaners and hand sanitizers. Proper handwashing remains the best defense.
As the winter season approaches, families are urged to maintain good hygiene practices to limit the spread of norovirus and other viruses.