Should you need urgent health advice please contact your GP or call NHS 111. In an emergency please visit A&E or call 999
Norovirus is one of the most common stomach bugs. It’s more prevalent in the winter months, but it can be caught at any time of year.
Symptoms
Someone with norovirus is likely to experience:
- Feeling sick
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
Some might also experience a fever, headaches, stomach cramps or aching limbs. These symptoms appear 1 to 2 days after catching the bug and can last for 2 or 3 days.
What to do if you think you or your child might have norovirus
Usually, you can look after yourself or your child at home when suffering from a stomach bug. There is no treatment for norovirus, the best thing to do is let it run its course until you or your child are feeling better. Click here for advice on where to access the right medical support if you’re worried about your child’s symptoms.
You should drink more water than usual if you’re experiencing vomiting or diarrhoea in order to top up lost fluids and avoid dehydration. Babies should continue to be breast or formula fed as normal.
More advice about looking after your young child can be found below.
Norovirus can spread to others very easily, so you should avoid visiting a GP surgery, if you require an appointment still contact the GP via telephone advising of your symptoms, or pharmacy if you suspect it. You should also avoid contact with others by staying off work and keeping your child out of school or nursery for 48 hours following the last symptom.
Be sure to wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Read more about hand washing here.
Looking after a child who has vomiting and diarrhoea
Keep breastfeeding them or giving them formula feeds as normal so that they stay hydrated. If they are vomiting, offer smaller volumes of milk or frequent breastfeeds.
Do not dilute formula milk. Remember to make formula milk to the strength as directed on the instructions. Read more about making up feeds here.
If your baby or child is having solid food, don’t worry if they don’t want to eat much. Just make sure you regularly offer water for them to drink.
If your baby/child has a temperature, you may want to give infant paracetamol. Don’t give paracetamol to a child under the age of two months without medical advice.
Look out for signs of dehydration, which include:
- fewer wet nappies
- sleepiness
- a sunken fontanelle – the soft spot on the top of the baby’s head
If your child has any of these signs of dehydration, your baby continues to be sick for more than 48 hours, or you’re worried that something more serious is going on, contact your GP or 111.
What should I do if I’m concerned?
Phone 999 or go to A&E if you or your child:
- Might have swallowed something poisonous
- Vomit blood or have vomit that looks like ground coffee
- Have yellow-green or green vomit (children)
- Have green vomit (adults)
- Have a stiff neck and pain when looking at bright lights
- Have a sudden, severe headache or stomach-ache
Phone 111 now if:
- You’re worried about a baby under 12 months
- Your child stops breast or bottle feeding while they’re ill
- Your child is under 5 and has signs of dehydration – such as fewer wet nappies than usual
- You or your child keep being sick and cannot keep fluid down
- You or your child have bloody diarrhoea or are bleeding from the bottom
- You or your child have diarrhoea for more than 7 days or vomiting for more than 2 days
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