After a busy holiday season spent with friends and family, millions of Americans find themselves starting the New Year spending time with the toilet. The stomach bug is officially in town and this year, it’s an especially bad one.

The dreaded norovirus stomach bug is surging in the United States, and cases are on the rise here in St. Louis. Known for its quick spread and painful symptoms, it’s left many bedridden this winter.

Cases of norovirus, commonly known as the stomach bug, are rising nationwide and in West Virginia. The West Virginia Department of Health (DH) advises

The highly contagious illness has reached its highest levels for this time of year in more than a decade, according to the latest CDC data.

You might call it stomach flu or a stomach bug, but what is probably causing you to feel sick is norovirus. Numbers were up in December compared to the previous 12 months. Here’s how to protect yourself from this very contagious virus.