A suspected norovirus has broken out at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and students across campus are getting sick.

Sara Sharpe, a freshman at UW-Madison, is one of more than 100 students who has been infected with this flu-like virus in the past two weeks. Sharpe lives in Sellery Hall, where the outbreak was first reported and 63 out of 1,100 residents reported cases of vomiting and diarrhea.

According to Sarah Van Orman, executive director of university health services at UW-Madison, the norovirus is most common in places where people live or work closely together.

"Residence halls are the perfect place for this to spread," Van Orman said. "It is extremely contagious and easily spreads from person to person."

According to the Centers for Disease Control, norovirus, previously known as Norwalk-like virus, causes an illness called gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis is an inflammation of the stomach and the intestines as a result of a bacterial or viral infection.

Van Orman said once a person is infected, they experience something close to the stomach flu for 24 to 48 hours. She added that the disease is easily transmitted from person to person via contaminated hands, surfaces or food.

The majority of infected students have not needed medical attention and are able to treat their symptoms on their own, Van Orman said. She said several students have needed IV fluids to help with dehydration from the vomiting and diarrhea.

Sharpe, who did not seek medical attention for her symptoms, said the onset of her illness began last Monday and lasted just over 24 hours.

"My roommate had it and I took every precaution not to get it," Sharpe said. "I didn't sleep in our room, I cleaned and used anti-bacterial everywhere, but I still got it. It's just that contagious."

Sharpe said she only knew of three people on her floor infected, but knew a lot of people who had been contaminated in her building.

"People don't want (the norovirus)," she said. "People are staying in their own rooms and no one wants to talk to you for a few days if they know you've had it to make sure you're not contagious."

The university sent out a campus-wide e-mail shortly after the outbreak was reported, giving students information about the disease and tips on how to prevent contamination, Van Orman said.

Both Van Orman and the CDC urge frequent hand washing and good hygiene to prevent infection.

"The cleaning staff in my building has put out anti-bacterial hand wash and wipes, and have been using heavy-duty bleach to stop further infection," Sharpe said.

But UW-Madison is not the only school dealing with an outbreak of norovirus. Hope College in Holland, Mich. closed down Nov. 7 until Nov. 11 after 120 of the college's 3,200 students reported symptoms of the norovirus.

Dana Mills, director of Marquette's Student Health Services, said Marquette has not been infected but e-mails have been sent out urging students to practice good hygiene to help prevent illnesses.

"Personal hygiene is always a dialogue we have with our students," Mills said.

Van Orman said confirmation is still needed to be sure norovirus is to blame for the illness, but it is the most likely candidate.