While norovirus is very contagious, medical experts say there are several ways you can protect yourself and your family so norovirus doesn't put a damper on your winter plans.

"This time of year, we're stuck indoors and touching the same surfaces, which is an optimal way for norovirus to spread," said Lauren Bryan, infection prevention program manager at UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center.

Norovirus is an incredibly contagious virus causing diarrhea and vomiting. It's spread through fecal material -- if someone doesn't wash their hands thoroughly after using the bathroom, for example, or after changing a dirty diaper, it can spread.

"It's a super contagious, super virulent virus," she said. "It is an equal-opportunity virus as well as it attacks the young and the old."

Once someone is infected, it can be passed to others unknowingly through direct contact such as through sharing food or utensils. It often sweeps through schools, child care centers and nursing homes, or other places where people are in close proximity with each other.

While it's sometimes called a stomach bug or flu, it's not caused by an influenza virus. You can get it any time of the year, although it's most prevalent in the winter.

Norovirus differs from the flu in that it has a shorter duration, usually lasting one to three days, and doesn't cause a fever, sore throat or other upper respiratory symptoms like influenza, RSV or COVID-19.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, norovirus is responsible for nearly 1 million pediatric visits each year, 900 deaths (mostly among adults aged 65 and older) and 109,000 hospitalizations.

And if you or a family member gets it?

"There's no treatment per se, but there are steps to manage it to make you feel less miserable," said Bryan.

Most importantly, stay hydrated with fluids that contain electrolytes.

"You want something that has some salt and potassium since you are losing electrolytes, and those need to be replenished," said Bryan.

Also important: Seek care if you can't keep fluids down, if you become dizzy or if your urine is dark. For children, she suggests taking them to a medical provider if they are complaining of a dry throat or mouth.

"It's a miserable couple of days but hang in there and stay hydrated," she said. "If you can't, we want you to seek care."