Norovirus

Norovirus causes diarrhoea and vomiting, and it's one of the most common stomach bugs. People often call it the "winter vomiting bug" because it's more common in winter, but you can catch it at any time of the year.

Norovirus can be very unpleasant, but it usually clears up by itself in a few days.

You can normally look after yourself or your child at home.

Try not to go to your doctor's chamber or the clinic, because norovirus can spread to others very easily.

You or your child:

• vomit blood or have vomit that looks like ground coffee
• have green vomit (adults)
• have yellow-green or green vomit (children)
• might have swallowed something poisonous
• have a stiff neck and pain when looking at bright lights
• have a sudden, severe headache or stomach ache

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• you're worried about a baby under 12 months
• your child stops breast or bottle feeding while they're ill
• a child under 5 years has signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet nappies
• you or your child (over 5 years) still have signs of dehydration after using oral rehydration sachets
• you or your child keep being sick and cannot keep fluid down
• you or your child have bloody diarrhoea or bleeding from the bottom
• you or your child have diarrhoea for more than 7 days or vomiting for more than 2 days

You're likely to have norovirus if you:

• suddenly feel sick
• have projectile vomiting
• have watery diarrhoea

Some people also get a slight fever, headaches, painful stomach cramps and aching limbs.

The symptoms appear 1 to 2 days after you become infected, and they usually last for up to 2 or 3 days.

Norovirus spreads very easily in public places such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools.

You can catch norovirus if small particles of vomit or stools (poo) from an infected person get into your mouth. This can happen in three ways:

• close contact with someone who has norovirus, because they may breathe out small particles of the virus and you then breathe them in
• touching contaminated surfaces or objects, as the virus can survive outside the body for several days
• eating contaminated food, which can happen if an infected person doesn't wash their hands before preparing or handling food

A person is most infectious from the start of symptoms until 48 hours after all symptoms have stopped. You may also be infectious for a short time before and after this.

You can get norovirus more than once. The virus is always changing, and your body is unable to build up long-term resistance to it.

It's not always possible to avoid norovirus, but following a few simple steps can help stop the virus spreading. Here is what to do:

• stay off work or school until at least 48 hours after the norovirus symptoms have stopped
• avoid visiting anyone in hospital during this time
• wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet and before preparing or handling food
• be aware that alcohol-based hand gels don't kill the virus

Basic hygiene and cleaning also help stop norovirus spreading. So:

• disinfect any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated, using a bleach-based household cleaner
• wash any clothing or bedding that could have become contaminated separately, on a hot wash (60°C), so the virus is killed
• don't share towels and flannels
• flush any poo or vomit down the toilet and clean the surrounding area with a bleach-based household cleaner
• avoid eating raw, unwashed food
• only eat oysters from a reliable source, as they can carry norovirus

If you have sudden diarrhoea and/or vomiting, the best thing to do is stay at home until you feel better. There's no treatment for norovirus, so you have to let it run its course. You don't usually need to see a doctor unless there's a risk of a more serious problem.

To ease your own or your child's symptoms, drink plenty of fluids so you don't become dehydrated. You need to drink more than usual to replace what you lose through vomiting and diarrhoea. As well as water, adults could also try fruit juice and soup.

Avoid giving fizzy drinks or fruit juice to children, as it can make their diarrhoea worse. Babies should keep feeding as usual, either with breast milk or other milk feeds.

You can also:

• take paracetamol for any fever or aches and pains
• get plenty of rest
• use special rehydration drinks, available from pharmacies, if you have signs of dehydration, such as a dry mouth or dark urine

If you feel like eating, try plain foods, such as soup, rice, pasta and bread.

Babies and young children, especially under a year old, have a greater risk of becoming dehydrated.

You don't normally need to see a doctor if you think you or your child has norovirus. There's no specific treatment for it.

Antibiotics won't help, since norovirus is caused by a virus.