Norovirus

Norovirus is a stomach bug that causes diarrhoea and vomiting. It will generally pass after 2 days. It is also known as the winter vomiting bug.

Norovirus can spread very easily, you can catch it from:

  • close contact with someone with norovirus
  • touching surfaces or objects that have been touched by someone with norovirus
  • eating food that has been prepared or handled by someone with norovirus

Washing hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is the best way to stop it spreading.

Alcohol hand gels do not kill norovirus.

Selfcare and more information

Managing Norovirus

You should stay off work and have plenty of rest until the symptoms have stopped for 2 days. It is crucial to avoid visiting anyone in hospital at this time because this is when you’re most infectious.

It is important to drink lots of water to keep you hydrated and eat when you feel able to. For most people symptoms can be managed at home and settle after 48 hours.

To avoid spreading infection, be sure to wash your hands with soap and water, wash dirty clothing and bedding separately on a hot wash and clean toilet seats, flush handles, taps, surfaces and door handles. Use a separate towel from others in the household.

You can visit your pharmacist who may recommend oral rehydration sachets or medicine to stop diarrhoea for a few hours.

Further advice on managing diarrhoea and vomiting is available here.

Norovirus in children

It is important to keep your child hydrated with plenty of fluids. You can carry on breastfeeding or bottle feeding your baby. For babies on formula or solid foods, give them small sips of water in-between feeds. Do not make baby formula weaker, use it at its normal strength and you should not give young children medicine to stop diarrhoea. Children under 16 years of age should not be given aspirin.

You can usually treat your child at home. Your child should stay off school until symptoms have stopped for 2 days. A pharmacist can help if your baby is under 12 months old and has diarrhoea and vomiting, if your child has signs of dehydration or if your child has more than 5 bouts of diarrhoea or vomits more than 3 times in 24 hours.

You should take your child to the GP if:
  1. they are under 12 months old and have signs of dehydration
  2. are under 3 months old and have a temperature of 38°C or higher
  3. are 3-6months old and have a temperature of 39°C or higher
  4. keep vomiting and are unable to keep fluids down
  5. have diarrhoea for more than 7 days or vomiting for more than 2 days
You should take your child to the GP urgently if they:
  1. still have signs of dehydration despite using oral rehydration sachets
  2. have green or yellow vomit
  3. have blood in their poo or bleeding from their bottom

If you are worried about your symptoms and can’t get hold of your GP, contact 111.nhs.uk, ring 111 or take your child to A&E.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of norovirus are:

  • feeling nauseated
  • diarrhoea
  • vomiting
  • high temperature of 38°C or above
  • headache
  • aching arms and legs

The symptoms will start within 1 to 2 days of being infected.

Useful information about norovirus

 

Videos about Norovirus

How to wash your hands | https://www.nhs.uk

NHS | published on 24 July 2017

How to prevent dehydration | https://www.nhs.uk

NHS | published on 24 July 2017

Your NHS pharmacy team | https://www.nhs.uk

NHS | published on 12 February 2018

Waiting for a specialist opinion

If you have been referred for a specialist opinion your details will be reviewed and it may be recommended that you are seen by a hospital clinician. Information to support you in choosing your preferred hospital, including waiting times can be found using the links below.

How long will I wait?

If a hospital assessment and/or treatment is clinically recommended your information will be sent to a specialist. Click below to find out more about waiting times for routine hospital assessment and/or treatment.