Earlier this week my wife had a stomach virus. It was so bad she missed work. She tried to pin it on some bad hummus, but I’ve watched enough House and Scrubs to know it was a virus. Now just a few days later boom! I get confirmation of my theory from the New York Times.

According to them…Cases of norovirus — commonly known as the stomach flu — have spiked in recent weeks, the city’s Health Department announced this morning. Emergency room visits for vomiting and diarrhea — the virus’s most common symptoms — have jumped to 500 a day from 300 a day in November.

Norovirus is a seasonal illness that typically peaks during the winter months.

Here are the official Dr Fitness and the Fat Guy tips in order for you to prevent getting the stomach virus this winter and to deal with it if you get it.

1. Wash your hands like a crazy person. Think Monk! You know how I feel about Purell.
2. Make sure the surfaces you prepare food or cook on is clean. Remember Monk clean is what we’re shooting for.
3. If you get sick stay away from everyone. Miss work, duh. Quarantine yourself from your family. Sleep a lot.
4. Drink lots of fluids. PowerAde, water, tea.