Norovirus (Winter Vomiting)

Norovirus, also called the "winter vomiting bug", is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It can be very unpleasant, but usually goes away in about 2 days.

The main symptoms of norovirus are:

• feeling sick (nausea)
• diarrhoea
• being sick (vomiting)

You may also have:

• a high temperature
• a headache
• aching arms and legs

How to treat diarrhoea and vomiting yourself

Do

• stay at home and get plenty of rest
• drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash
• carry on breast or bottle feeding your baby. If they're being sick, try giving small feeds more often than usual
• give babies on formula or solid foods small sips of water between feeds
• eat when you feel able to, you do not need to eat or avoid any specific foods
• take paracetamol if you're in discomfort

Don't

• have fruit juice or fizzy drinks. They can make diarrhoea worse
• make baby formular weaker
• give children under 12 medicine to stop diarrhoea
• give aspirin to children under 16

The symptoms start suddenly within 1 to 2 days of being infected. The NHS guidance on Norovirus can be found here.