A dreaded time of year is upon us. Norovirus, also known as the “stomach flu” or “stomach bug,” infects higher rates of people across the country during the colder months, which we are right in the middle of.

Last week, nearly 800 students were absent due to a norovirus outbreak at Fairhope West Elementary School. Not all of them were ill — some families chose to keep their kids out of school to protect them from the contagious virus that causes severe diarrhea and vomiting.