Norovirus is a type of viral gastroenteritis.  You may hear norovirus illness called "food poisoning" or "stomach flu.”  Norovirus illness is not related to the flu (influenza), which is a respiratory illness caused by influenza virus.  Norovirus is a very contagious virus.  You can get norovirus from an infected person, contaminated food or water, or by touching contaminated surfaces.  Norovirus infection causes your stomach or intestines or both to get inflamed (acute gastroenteritis).  This leads you to have stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea, and to throw up.

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