Cases of norovirus or stomach flu climb steadily across US: 'This is the season for it'
Stomach flu cases are particularly dangerous for the elderly
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Cases of norovirus, also known as the stomach flu, are rising across the country.
Specifically, in the northeastern U.S., positivity rates have hit 13.4% as of Feb. 17, as reported by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Norovirus is very contagious, according to the CDC. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}CRUISES SEE SURGE OF NOROVIRUS, HIGHEST IN DECADE: CDC
The stomach bug can be spread through contaminated food or water, as well as through contact with sick people and contaminated surfaces.
Fox News medical contributor Dr. Marc Siegel addressed the uptick in cases during a Monday appearance on "Fox & Friends."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Norovirus is very contagious, according to the CDC, and can cause diarrhea, vomiting, nausea and stomach pain. (iStock)
The NYU Langone physician said that while washing your hands is an effective prevention strategy, norovirus can still spread through food.
"It gets in food, it gets in waste," he said.
NOROVIRUS SPREAD ON THE WASHINGTON PACIFIC CREST TRAIL – WHAT TO KNOW AND HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"People are touching each other’s hands, food handlers spread it. It’s spread indoors because everybody’s indoors [during] the winter."
Siegel said he asked Mandy Cohen, the CDC's director, on Sunday if the agency plans to test wastewater to examine virus spread, and her answer was "no."
Dr. Marc Siegel, Fox News medical contributor, joined "Fox & Friends" on Monday, Feb. 26, to discuss the spread of norovirus cases that is occurring right now. (Fox News)
"That surprised me because we’re starting to use wastewater analysis everywhere," he said.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I think that that’s probably a good idea."
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR HEALTH NEWSLETTER
The "biggest problem" with norovirus, according to Siegel, is that it causes dehydration due to symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"The elderly end up in the hospital – 100,000 of them a year," he said.
"It’s the most common kind of stomach flu we have [and] this is the season for it."
Consuming electrolytes is "key" to preventing dehydration caused by norovirus, according to Dr. Siegel. (iStock)
He added, "If you have these symptoms, it’s norovirus."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}To ensure proper hydration, Siegel recommended taking "something with electrolytes," such as Gatorade or Pedialyte.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
"Drink plenty of it," he said. "That’s the key to the treatment. [There's] no vaccine, no pill for it."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}There is no medication available to treat people with norovirus illness, the CDC stated on its website.