With the holidays now behind us, cases of the norovirus are surging across the country. Erie County is also seeing an spike in norovirus and flu cases.

“We are seeing a good number of both of them,” said AHN Saint Vincent emergency physician Dr. Jestin Carlson. “This is the time of year where we do see upticks in both flu and norovirus.”

The norovirus is a highly-contagious stomach bug that causes gastrointestinal illness. Those infected experience symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and stomach pains.

“It’s widespread,” said Dr. Carlson. “It does spread easier in individuals who are in close proximities, so schools where there are lots of kids around each other, even within other communities, so individuals who might live in nursing homes.”

Dr. Carlson says the best thing you can do to avoid infection, is to wash your hands, and often.

“One of the biggest things is making sure you wash your hands,” said Dr. Carlson. “That helps to get the virus off. The virus can live on surfaces for days, sometimes weeks, and so it's really important, even if you're not around somebody you know is sick, make sure you wash your hands, especially before you eat. That can help reduce the potential for transmission."

According to the CDC, most people infected with the norovirus will recover without any specific treatment within one to three days.