A violent stomach virus is tearing through the US, and health officials say your standard hygiene habits are not enough to stop it
And it’s contagious too.
The highly contagious rotavirus is currently spreading across the United States, and health officials are warning that standard hygiene practices alone are not enough to curb the surge. The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates a significant uptick in cases, with the virus reaching its highest level of patient diagnoses since April of last year.
According to BroBible, as of the most recent update on April 13, 2026, the positivity rate for the virus hit 6.77%, which marks a 24% increase from the previous seven-day period. This is a concerning trend because the illness can be potentially life-threatening if not managed correctly. While many people might brush off a stomach bug as a minor inconvenience, the clinical reality for infants and young children is much more serious.
The WastewaterSCAN dashboard, which provides a bird’s-eye view of infectious disease trends through wastewater monitoring, shows that levels of the virus have been rising steadily since mid-December. It is now considered widespread across all major regions of the country, with the notable exception of the Midwest.
California is currently seeing the highest concentrations of the virus
This is particularly so in Marin, Redwood City, San Jose, and Santa Cruz. If you are in the Bay Area, you should be aware that researchers have also identified moderate concentrations in places like Sacramento, Davis, San Francisco, Sunnyvale, Fremont, Vallejo, and Novato. Outside of the West Coast, the Northeast is also a major area of concern. Elevated levels have been detected at wastewater treatment plants in New Jersey, Connecticut, and the rest of the Northeast coast.
The symptoms of a rotavirus infection are brutal. You can expect to deal with severe watery diarrhea, persistent vomiting, intense stomach pain, fever, and a total loss of appetite.
The primary danger during these episodes is dehydration, which is why the illness is particularly dangerous for infants and children under the age of 5. While older children and adults with weakened immune systems are also susceptible, the first time someone is infected, the symptoms tend to be at their most severe.
It is important to understand that there is no specific medicine that can treat a rotavirus infection directly. Doctors generally focus on managing the symptoms to keep the patient comfortable and hydrated. Hygiene habits, such as frequent handwashing and general cleanliness, are obviously good practices to maintain, but the CDC has explicitly stated that these steps are not enough to fully control the spread of this particular virus.
It spreads through infected fecal matter particles, meaning it can be passed through direct contact with infected people or by touching contaminated surfaces that haven’t been properly sanitized. Vaccination remains the most effective tool to prevent severe infection. According to the CDC, between 94 and 96% of vaccinated children are protected from the kind of severe illness that leads to hospitalization.
Before the rotavirus vaccine was introduced in the 1990s, the virus was the leading cause of severe diarrhea in young children, resulting in as many as 2.7 million cases annually. Today, the vaccine helps avert roughly 45,000 hospitalizations and over 340,000 clinic or emergency department visits every year.
There has been some recent confusion regarding vaccine recommendations
While previous guidelines suggested that all children receive the vaccine, there were recent discussions about shifting toward a model where parents decide in consultation with their doctors. These changes have been met with significant pushback from medical professionals.
According to The Independent, Dr. Sean O’Leary, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases, has noted that these shifts could lead to increased suffering. Similarly, Dr. Yvonne Maldonado of the Stanford University School of Medicine emphasized that while people often underestimate diarrheal disease, it remains a severe threat to the youngest members of our population.
It is worth noting that while natural infection or vaccination does not provide full, permanent immunity against future infections, vaccinated children are significantly less likely to become severely ill. There are two types of vaccines available for infants in the U.S., both administered as oral drops. There is currently no vaccine available for adults.
While there is a very rare risk of a bowel blockage known as intussusception, the CDC maintains that the vaccine is very safe and that the benefits of preventing a severe, potentially fatal infection far outweigh the risks. If you have concerns about your child’s vaccination status, the best course of action is to speak directly with your pediatrician to ensure you are making an informed decision.
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