You may not know what norovirus is, but you’re certainly familiar with the symptoms: nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Cases of this highly contagious stomach bug are spiking across in the U.S.
The percent of positive norovirus tests just reached its highest peak since April 2023, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Looking more closely at positive tests by region, the Northeast just got walloped and cases are surging in the southern U.S.
“On a daily basis, I have moms and dads coming in and asking how to treat the stomach bug,” says Walgreens pharmacy manager Helen Maser, who works at store #18373 Manhasset, New York. “I think Walgreens is a great option, especially when it’s the middle of the night and parents can’t reach their pediatrician.” Parents can even utilize Walgreens Pharmacy Chat, and message with a pharmacy expert 24/7 online or in the Walgreens app.
Maser says her team has been filling its fair share of anti-nausea prescriptions for patients, but there are other over-the-counter products sold at Walgreens that also help treat nausea or diarrhea, like Nauzene, Emetrol or Kaopectate. She also says it’s important to stay hydrated when you have norovirus. To help little ones with norovirus stay hydrated, she recommends the Walgreens brand electrolyte solution, which comes in a bunch of flavors like strawberry lemonade and berry frost.
Look for the "compare to" statement on our Walgreens branded products. Compare our brands' active ingredients to the national brands’ active ingredients and save.* Here are some of the top-selling Walgreens brand products that may help treat the symptoms of norovirus:
Additionally, a Walgreens brand version of Emetrol is planned to hit store shelves in late April, says Kim Webb, director of owned brand commercialization, OTC division.
Aside from treating the symptoms, Maser recommends taking precautions to prevent norovirus from spreading.
“Always wash your hands because it spreads so easily,” she says, adding that families should avoid sharing plates, silverware or just about anything. “If mom or dad go down, the whole family goes down.”
Any time you are sick, with norovirus or something else, Maser says to stay home to prevent passing the bug along. Even though summer is just around the corner, Maser says norovirus cases might be plaguing us for a while longer.
“The season of Norovirus is anywhere from November to April, so we’re in it,” Maser says.
* Compare the regular retail of Walgreens brand products with the regular retail of similar national brand products. Prices may vary.
