Can norovirus infection cause gastroenteritis?

Norovirus inflames the stomach and intestines. It spreads easily through contaminated hands, food, water, surfaces, or close contact with someone who is ill. Symptoms often begin suddenly and may include repeated vomiting, loose stools, nausea, cramps, headache, body aches, and a mild fever. The main concern is fluid and salt loss, particularly for infants, older adults, pregnant people, and anyone with another illness that makes dehydration more likely. Antibiotics do not treat a virus.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration solution. If vomiting makes drinking difficult, pause briefly and restart with tiny sips. When appetite returns, choose foods you can tolerate and avoid alcohol. Wash hands with soap and water after using the toilet and before preparing food; alcohol hand gel may not remove norovirus reliably. Clean contaminated surfaces, launder soiled clothing or bedding, and avoid preparing food for others while unwell and for a period after symptoms stop, following local medical advice.

Seek prompt medical advice for very little urine, marked dizziness, fainting, confusion, a dry mouth with inability to keep fluids down, blood in vomit or stool, severe or localised abdominal pain, or a high fever. Get urgent help for collapse or severe weakness. Children, older adults, pregnant people, and people with kidney disease, diabetes, or reduced immunity may need advice earlier because dehydration can develop quickly.

Ask which rehydration drink is suitable, how to manage medicines that you cannot keep down, and which dehydration signs matter for your age or health. Ask when you can return to work, school, childcare, or food preparation without putting others at risk.