Norovirus is one of the most common stomach bugs in the UK. It causes diarrhoea and vomiting and 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 to avoid going to your GP as norovirus can spread to others very easily. Call your GP or NHS 111 if you’re worried or need some advice.
What to do if you have norovirus
The best thing to do is to stay at home until you’re feeling better. There’s no cure for norovirus, so you have to let it run its course. You don’t usually need to get medical advice unless there’s a risk of a more serious problem.
Norovirus can spread very easily, so you should wash your hands regularly while you’re ill and stay off work or school until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have cleared to reduce the risk of passing it on.
When to get medical advice
You don’t normally need to see your GP if you think you or your child has norovirus, as there’s no specific treatment for it and antibiotics won’t help because it’s caused by a virus.
Visiting your GP surgery with norovirus can put others at risk, so call your GP or NHS 111 if you’re concerned or feel you need advice.
How is norovirus spread?
Norovirus spreads very easily in public places such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools.
You can catch it if small particles of vomit or poo from an infected person get into your mouth, such as through:
- Close contact with someone with norovirus – they may breathe out small particles containing the virus that you could inhale
- Touching contaminated surfaces or objects – the virus can survive outside the body for several days
- Eating contaminated food – this can happen if an infected person doesn’t wash their hands before handling food
Preventing norovirus
It’s not always possible to avoid getting norovirus, but the following can help stop the virus spreading.
- Stay off work or school until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have passed. You should also avoid visiting anyone in hospital during this time
- Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet and before preparing food. Don’t rely on alcohol hand gels, as they don’t kill the virus
- Disinfect any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated. It’s best to use a bleach-based household cleaner
- Wash any items of clothing or bedding that could have become contaminated separately on a hot wash to ensure the virus is killed
- Don’t share towels and flannels
- Flush away any infected poo or vomit in the toilet and clean the surrounding area
- Avoid eating raw, unwashed produce and only eat oysters from a reliable source, as oysters can carry norovirus.