What should you know about gastroenteritis and norovirus?

Gastroenteritis can cause sudden diarrhoea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, fever and loss of appetite. Norovirus spreads easily through contaminated hands, food, surfaces or close contact. Other viruses, including rotavirus, can cause a similar illness. Symptoms may begin quickly and can leave you tired even after vomiting and diarrhoea ease. The main concern is fluid and salt loss, especially for young children, older adults and people with other illnesses.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink, particularly after vomiting or loose stools. Eat light foods when you feel able and rest. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water; alcohol hand gel may not remove norovirus reliably. Clean contaminated surfaces, avoid preparing food for others and stay away from work, school or shared activities until you have recovered and followed local health advice. Do not share towels or utensils.

Get urgent medical help if you cannot keep fluids down, pass very little urine, become confused or unusually drowsy, faint, have blood in vomit or stools, severe abdominal pain, or a fever with serious illness. Seek advice sooner for infants, frail adults, pregnancy or significant long-term conditions.

Ask how to replace fluids, whether your medicines need temporary adjustment, and which symptoms should trigger urgent review. Tell the clinician when vomiting and diarrhoea began, how often they occur and whether anyone else became ill.