It appears that norovirus was responsible for sickening more than 170 students at Georgetown University this week, according to health officials working on the case.

Noroviruses cause the stomach flu, also known as gastroenteritis. Norovirus outbreaks are often linked to ill handlers and contaminated food or water. People infected with the gastrointestinal virus usually experience diarrhea and/or vomiting mostly. The virus is generally spread from person to person by direct contact and/or by touching contaminated surfaces or objects.

Although the illness usually lasts 1 to 2 days and is not considered serious for the general population, young children, the elderly and those with chronic medical conditions, such as diabetes, may develop more severe complications and should ask for a healthcare provider’s help.

“Viruses like this can live for a period of time on surfaces that are commonly touched -- door knobs, prep surfaces and other places that are commonly touched. That's why it's important to do a very effective environmental clean-up,” aid Dr. Pierre Vigilance of the D.C. Department of Health.

The source of the infection at Georgetown University is not known yet, but school officials are currently working to find out. The campus is cleaned thoroughly starting with the bathrooms and ending with the doorknobs. Students are highly recommended hand washing in order to prevent infection. “Hand-washing is going to be our mantra,” said James C. Welsh, assistant vice president for student health.

Meanwhile, the campus dining hall, closed on Wednesday after the first reports of norovirus infections reopened on Thursday night after being inspected and sanitized.

The source of the virus is still under investigation.