Doctors say norovirus — also known as the stomach flu — is spreading around San Diego faster than it did last year. With holiday gatherings, they’re bracing for even more outbreaks.

Three-year-old River doesn’t even remember how rough she had it a few months ago. Her mom and dad had what could’ve been norovirus too, but not as badly as she did.

“She was kind of lethargic, and then started throwing up, and then it didn’t stop for about two days,” River’s mom, Corrin Stotler, said. “We ended up taking her to the hospital because she couldn’t keep anything down.”

The county’s disease registry reports there have been almost 400 norovirus cases in San Diego so far. This number has likely changed after holiday gatherings, and a local doctor said it’s already trending worse than last year.

“September, we saw some cases,” said Dr. William Tseng, assistant area medical director at Kaiser Permanente. “October, we saw more. November, we saw more. So, we’re thinking, ‘Is December going to be worse,and where is the peak going to be?’”

The virus spreads through bodily waste and the surfaces it touches.

“You get the abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, cramping, diarrhea,” Tseng said.

Norovirus is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhea. Learn how it spreads and how you can help prevent getting it.

If this is the case, doctors advise against taking medications that stop diarrhea because this is body’s way of clearing the virus. Taking meds can cause the illness to stay in the digestive tract longer.

There is no specific cure for a norovirus infection either. Most people get better on their own within a couple days if they increase their fluids.  

“If they’re around a lot of kids, one of my friends gives her kid a vitamin C pack every time he gets home from daycare, and I’ve never seen that kid sick,” Stotler said.

An immunity boost can’t hurt, but Tseng said washing your hands is the best way to get the surging virus to slow down.

It can be easy to confuse norovirus for food poisoning. Tseng said pay attention to how soon after eating you start feeling sick. Food poisoning symptoms are almost immediate while norovirus can take a couple days to develop.

Here are some of the best things to do this week in San Diego, from Monday, Dec. 30 to Friday, Jan. 3.

Check back Wednesday for our guide to things to do this weekend.

Related links:

Monday

Coast to Crest Challenge: The Coast to Crest Challenge starts its eighth year this month for hikers to sample San Dieguito River Park’s trail network by finishing a series of five hikes, organized by the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy. The deadline to complete this year’s series is June 30, 2025. Visit sdrvc.org.

Final days for Belmont Park’s Winter Wonder: Belmont Park’s Winter Wonder, the annual event at the beachside amusement park in Mission Beach, runs through Dec. 31 featuring festive rides and attractions, including the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, Peppermint Putt Putt at Tiki Wonderland and Candy Cane Lanes Go Karts and Polar Plunge. Highlights include hundreds of twinkling lights, carolers, oversized winter sculptures and seasonal characters throughout the park. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday, 11 a.m to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Belmont Park, 3146 Mission Blvd., San Diego. Prices vary by attraction and bundle. belmontpark.com

Tuesday

How to celebrate New Year’s Eve at parties, festivals and fancy dinners

Store hours: What’s open and closed New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day

Wednesday

Rose Parade: The Rose Parade will feature three groups from San Diego this year. It begins at 8 a.m. on New Year’s Day and will be broadcast on ABC, NBC, KTLA Channel 5, Hallmark Channel, RFD-TV and Univision. tournamentofroses.com/about/parade-day-guide/

Watching the Rose Parade? Here’s a look at 3 groups from San Diego

“Salute to Vienna: New Year’s Concert”: Now in its 29th year, this touring Viennese holiday concert features the Strauss Symphony of America featuring members of the San Diego Symphony, costumed dancers from San Diego Ballet, tenor Michael Heim and soprano Peggy Steiner, ringing in the new year in Austrian style. 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. Jacobs Music Center, 1245 Seventh Ave., downtown. $80 to $130. purchasing.sandiegosymphony.org

Thursday

Comedian Maddy Smith: Host of Mad House podcast, Maddy Smith is also a touring comedian who has been seen on MTV’s “Wild N Out” and as an opening act for performers such as Bert Kreischer and Theo Von. 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday. 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday. $24. American Comedy Co., 870 Sixth Ave., San Diego. americancomedyco.com/pages/calendar

Friday

Comedian Dustin Nickerson: Hot off a debut appearance on the “Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon,” Dustin Nickerson’s comedy tour will stop for three nights in San Diego. He’s a co-host of the podcast “Don’t Make Me Come Back There” and has a recent comedy special “Runs in the Family” on Youtube. 7 and 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 7 p.m. Sunday. The Comedy Store, 916 Pearl St., La Jolla. $28.88. thecomedystore.com/la-jolla/calendar/la-jolla/

Final weekend for Viejas Outlets skating: This shopping center displays a seasonal ice skating rink through Jan. 5, weather permitting. Ice skate rentals are included in the price and sessions are 90 minutes. 3 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 3 to 8 p.m. Sunday. 5003 Willows Road, Alpine. $20-22. 619-659-2070, viejasoutletcenter.com/skating-rink

Final weekend for holiday celebrations at Legoland: Live entertainment, twinkling lights, holiday treats and some snowfall will be on display through Jan. 5. Visitors can see the park’s 30-foot Lego tree decked with lights and Lego ornaments built out of more than 350,000 Lego and Duplo bricks. Photos can be taken with life-sized festive Lego models or costumed characters such as a Lego Santa, toy soldier, gingerbread man and elf characters. Activities inside the park are included with regular park admission. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Legoland California, One Legoland Drive, Carlsbad. $99. legoland.com/california/things-to-do/seasonal-events/holidays

“The Hispanic/Latino/Latina/ Latinx/Latine Vote”: TuYo Theatre presents this new play by Bernardo Cubría about Paola, a university professor in debt after years of fertility treatments. She finds herself at a crossroads when the political party offers her a job to gain the Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx/Latine vote. Previews today and Saturday. Opens Sunday and runs through Jan. 18. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. Bayfront Charter High School, 830 Bay Blvd., Chula Vista. $20-$25. tuyotheatre.org

Here are 13 of the best events coming to San Diego County in the first quarter of 2025, listed chronologically.

Originally Published: December 30, 2024 at 6:00 AM PST