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A notoriously contagious stomach bug’s spread through Arlington has public health experts urging extra precautions.

An alert about a wave of suspected norovirus cases went out to Arlington Public Schools families last week as reported “norovirus-like outbreaks” have surged in Northern Virginia since late 2024.

Experts are encouraging people to wash their hands thoroughly, watch for signs of gastrointestinal illness and stay home for at least two to three days after symptoms stop.

“It’s highly contagious,” Dr. Jennifer Primeggia, a specialist in infectious disease and internal medicine at VHC Health, told ARLnow. “Everyone wants to do the right thing and everyone wants to take care of each other — but realize that you’re contagious from the start of symptoms to three days after you feel better.”

Norovirus spreads easily, especially in health care facilities, restaurants and catered events, schools and child care centers, and cruise ships, according to a county fact sheet.

People typically get sick through direct contact with an infected person, from eating contaminated food or drinks or from touching contaminated items and then putting unwashed hands in their mouth.

The most common symptoms are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain. They usually set in 12 to 48 hours after exposure and last for one to three days.

“If you had that and you’re better, it was probably norovirus,” Primeggia said.

The doctor warned that some people have shown the virus for up to two weeks to a month after symptoms have gone away. VHC Health averaged around 18 to 20 positive norovirus tests per week in December, she said.

While that number has fallen in the new year, suspected outbreaks in Northern Virginia still remain well above the number reported this time last year, according to data from the Virginia Department of Health.

There is no medicine to treat norovirus, experts note, but people who fall ill are encouraged to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. Additionally, Primeggia warned that hand sanitizer won’t kill this particular virus — making it all the more essential for people to wash their hands regularly with soap and water.

This is especially important after using the toilet or changing diapers, before preparing and eating food, and before taking or giving someone medicine.

People should also thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables and use bleach-based cleaner to disinfect surfaces with vomit or diarrhea on them.

“The best advice I can give is, if you’re feeling unwell, stay home, and if you’re not better in a couple days, reach out to your health care provider,” Primeggia said.

More information from Arlington Public Health on the virus’s spread and ways to stay healthy is below.

1) Data/Information on Norovirus

2) Keeping Healthy During Norovirus Season

Below are actions you can take to limit the spread of norovirus infection (Arlington Norovirus Fact Sheet – also available in other languages: Amharic, Arabic, Farsi, Mongolian, Spanish).

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Radiant Smiles has earned a stellar reputation for providing top-notch dental services with a personal touch.

ARLINGTON, Va., Jan. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Radiant Smiles is delighted to announce that it has been awarded the 2025 Top Patient-Rated Dentist by Find Local Doctors. Find Local Doctors is a reputable online directory highlighting exceptional medical providers based on superior reviews and five-star patient ratings. This prestigious recognition underscores the clinic's exceptional dental services and unwavering dedication to patient care. Dr. Surbhi Chandna brings a wealth of experience and a gentle touch to her practice. She specializes in geriatric dentistry and welcomes patients of all ages, delivering excellent dental care.

Whether the patient is a teen who needs orthodontic treatment or a senior who is exploring full mouth restorations, they have everyone covered at Radiant Smiles. The dental center provides full-service dentistry, from preventative and general dentistry to cosmetic treatments and restorative procedures. The clinic uses the latest technology and techniques to ensure optimal outcomes. The team at Radiant Smiles goes above and beyond to make dental care accessible and stress-free, offering sedation options for anxious patients and convenient appointment scheduling. The clinic also accepts a wide selection of dental insurance plans to keep dental care affordable.

"We are deeply honored to receive this award. It reflects our commitment to providing the highest quality dental care and our dedication to listening to our patients' needs and delivering uncompromised care," says Dr. Surbhi Chandna.

More about Dr. Surbhi Chandna:

Dr. Surbhi Chandna is a general and cosmetic dentist. She started her career in Dentistry in 2005 and has since gained experience working in India and United States. She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh - School of Dentistry. Dr. Chandna has many years of experience in her field, working in Richmond, Maryland and Northern Virginia. She has taken hundreds of CE courses to stay updated with the latest dental technology. Radiant Smiles is located at 3801 N Fairfax Dr Suite 25 in Arlington, VA. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 703-528-0444 or visit http://www.theradiantsmiles.com

Media Contact

Dr. Surbhi Chandna, Radiant Smiles, 703-528-0444, info@theradiantsmiles.com, https://theradiantsmiles.com/

SOURCE Radiant Smiles

This Arlington neighborhood has been a residential staple for years, and has seen a growing restaurant scene emerge due to more daytime activity and an increasing number of residents. Find everything from Pakistani kebabs to excellent Spanish fare to a food hall of fun contemporary choices here; still to come, options like a second location of Asburn Nepalese darling Himalayan Wild Yak, opening later this year.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Mala Tang is where Arlingtonians go for Chinese hot pot, including dry pot. The menu also offers a variety of appetizers and Sichuan dishes such as cumin lamb. Hot pots are customizable with dippers like fish balls, prawns, “mala’ spicy beef, and a number of vegetables, as well as multiple broths. Sichuan lunch specials are available on weekdays.

This hidden gem just off of Ballston’s main thoroughfare is one of the area’s underrated destinations for Spanish food. Find robust paellas, a variety of tapas, Spanish wines, and traditional preparations of salt cod and roasted pork. Cocktails aren’t an afterthought, and the drinks menu is enhanced by the restaurant’s own roster of homemade liqueurs. Ser consistently provides stellar service, too, courtesy of gregarious proprietor Javier Candon and a strong management team.

This beloved longtime Arlington eatery is one of the area’s most well-known destinations for Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken and sides. Expect spice-crusted birds, crunchy fried yuca, and fiery green chile dipping sauce.

Russian and Uzbek dishes appear alongside each other at this neighborhood restaurant, which serves sharp vinaigrette salads, plump manti dumplings, and savory pastries such as samsa and pirozhki. The Uzbek section of the menu tends to edge out the Russian fare (including the country’s national dish, rice-based plov), but there are still solid examples of the latter including beef stroganoff and chicken Kiev. The restaurant infuses its own vodka, but a simple Moscow mule is a pleasure during a sunny day on the patio.

Waffle fries, pizza by the slice (and NY-style pies), short rib poutine, and fried cheese curds are among the contributions from this local hangout.

Ballston’s original wine bar serves up a European-influenced dinner menu here with dishes such as escargot, Wagyu beef stroganoff, and duck and mushroom strudel. Wine flights are available alongside bottles. Ample outdoor seating outfitted with heat lamps lines the outside of the restaurant.

A lively neon-lit street foods spot that pays homage to bustling night markets in Asia zoomed into Ballston last summer with dim sum, pad Thai, Korean twice-fried wings, soup dumplings, tiki drinks, and sake (bombs). Best-selling Malaysian flat breads with curry sauce and other recipes come from co-founder Allen Lo’s family. The Orlando-born brand debuted locally at Bethesda Row in 2020. The Arlington locale, outfitted with a fire pit-lined patio and indoor-outdoor bar, tests out dairy-free soft serve topped with taiyaki.

This Navy Yard favorite for New England seafood opened its second location in Ballston with a raw bar selection (including several crudos), lobster rolls, and regional touches like a North Shore roast beef sandwiches and fried whole belly clams. Entrees, mostly seafood, are generally in the $30s.

The popular Mexican street food spot features a familiar menu of traditional tacos such as al pastor and carnitas, along with speciality additions only available at the Ballston location. The El Rico Pollo taco, a homage to the nearby Peruvian chicken institution, includes spiced chicken, green chili puree and aji amarillo mayo.

The DMV’s food hall craze extends to Ballston at Quarter Market, which has a pretty impressive of options from which to choose. Among them: Hot Lola’s for enviable fried chicken sandwiches, Timber Pizza Company for pies, Superette for sandwiches and cocktails, and many more.

A must-stop for doughnut lovers, Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe boasts a menu of yeast and cake doughnuts in flavors like blueberry buttercream, Nutella toffee, and cherry vanilla bomb. There are also other breakfast options, sandwiches, and booze. Online ordering and outdoor seating are available.

Pupatella’s certified Neapolitan-style pizzas are a local favorite, and the location near Ballston is the original for the franchise (and arguably the best). There’s a patio, too.

An excellent option for Egyptian fare, this restaurant serves a variety of tajin stews, spreads, seafood dishes, and more. They’re also a solid option for catering, including for those with dietary restrictions.

This longtime Ballston-area staple is where to find a variety of kebabs, as well as Pakistani dishes. It’s also a rare option in the area open till midnight every day of the week.

This neighborhood favorite offers Mexican, Tex-Mex and Salvadoran fare. The margaritas are solid, the fajitas sizzle, the pupusas are gooey, and the combo plates are generous.

Mala Tang is where Arlingtonians go for Chinese hot pot, including dry pot. The menu also offers a variety of appetizers and Sichuan dishes such as cumin lamb. Hot pots are customizable with dippers like fish balls, prawns, “mala’ spicy beef, and a number of vegetables, as well as multiple broths. Sichuan lunch specials are available on weekdays.

This hidden gem just off of Ballston’s main thoroughfare is one of the area’s underrated destinations for Spanish food. Find robust paellas, a variety of tapas, Spanish wines, and traditional preparations of salt cod and roasted pork. Cocktails aren’t an afterthought, and the drinks menu is enhanced by the restaurant’s own roster of homemade liqueurs. Ser consistently provides stellar service, too, courtesy of gregarious proprietor Javier Candon and a strong management team.

This beloved longtime Arlington eatery is one of the area’s most well-known destinations for Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken and sides. Expect spice-crusted birds, crunchy fried yuca, and fiery green chile dipping sauce.

Russian and Uzbek dishes appear alongside each other at this neighborhood restaurant, which serves sharp vinaigrette salads, plump manti dumplings, and savory pastries such as samsa and pirozhki. The Uzbek section of the menu tends to edge out the Russian fare (including the country’s national dish, rice-based plov), but there are still solid examples of the latter including beef stroganoff and chicken Kiev. The restaurant infuses its own vodka, but a simple Moscow mule is a pleasure during a sunny day on the patio.

Waffle fries, pizza by the slice (and NY-style pies), short rib poutine, and fried cheese curds are among the contributions from this local hangout.

Ballston’s original wine bar serves up a European-influenced dinner menu here with dishes such as escargot, Wagyu beef stroganoff, and duck and mushroom strudel. Wine flights are available alongside bottles. Ample outdoor seating outfitted with heat lamps lines the outside of the restaurant.

A lively neon-lit street foods spot that pays homage to bustling night markets in Asia zoomed into Ballston last summer with dim sum, pad Thai, Korean twice-fried wings, soup dumplings, tiki drinks, and sake (bombs). Best-selling Malaysian flat breads with curry sauce and other recipes come from co-founder Allen Lo’s family. The Orlando-born brand debuted locally at Bethesda Row in 2020. The Arlington locale, outfitted with a fire pit-lined patio and indoor-outdoor bar, tests out dairy-free soft serve topped with taiyaki.

This Navy Yard favorite for New England seafood opened its second location in Ballston with a raw bar selection (including several crudos), lobster rolls, and regional touches like a North Shore roast beef sandwiches and fried whole belly clams. Entrees, mostly seafood, are generally in the $30s.

The popular Mexican street food spot features a familiar menu of traditional tacos such as al pastor and carnitas, along with speciality additions only available at the Ballston location. The El Rico Pollo taco, a homage to the nearby Peruvian chicken institution, includes spiced chicken, green chili puree and aji amarillo mayo.

The DMV’s food hall craze extends to Ballston at Quarter Market, which has a pretty impressive of options from which to choose. Among them: Hot Lola’s for enviable fried chicken sandwiches, Timber Pizza Company for pies, Superette for sandwiches and cocktails, and many more.

A must-stop for doughnut lovers, Good Company Doughnuts & Cafe boasts a menu of yeast and cake doughnuts in flavors like blueberry buttercream, Nutella toffee, and cherry vanilla bomb. There are also other breakfast options, sandwiches, and booze. Online ordering and outdoor seating are available.

Pupatella’s certified Neapolitan-style pizzas are a local favorite, and the location near Ballston is the original for the franchise (and arguably the best). There’s a patio, too.

An excellent option for Egyptian fare, this restaurant serves a variety of tajin stews, spreads, seafood dishes, and more. They’re also a solid option for catering, including for those with dietary restrictions.

This longtime Ballston-area staple is where to find a variety of kebabs, as well as Pakistani dishes. It’s also a rare option in the area open till midnight every day of the week.

This neighborhood favorite offers Mexican, Tex-Mex and Salvadoran fare. The margaritas are solid, the fajitas sizzle, the pupusas are gooey, and the combo plates are generous.

Arlington County Government offices and services are operating on modified schedules for the New Year's Day holiday on Jan. 1, 2025. View the full schedule.

Recycling/Trash/Organics Curbside Routes - No collection on New Year's Day. Regular Wednesday routes run on Thursday, Jan. 2; regular Thursday routes run on Friday, Jan. 3; regular Friday routes run Saturday, Jan. 4.

Special Collections (Brush, Metal, E-Waste) - No collection on New Year's Day.

Household Hazardous Materials/Electronics Collection Recycling Center - Closed Jan. 1. Weekday drop-offs resume on Jan. 2.

Earth Products Yard - Closed

View the Full Holiday Schedule

Relive Our 2024 Achievements in the End-of-Year Video