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.

Information around fever and high temperatures can be found here.

 

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