Norovirus gastroenteritis treatment

Norovirus irritates the stomach and bowel, leading to sudden nausea, vomiting, watery diarrhoea, cramps and sometimes fever. Fluid loss can happen through both vomiting and diarrhoea, so dehydration is the main treatment concern. Symptoms may settle with home care, but young children, older adults and people with ongoing medical problems can become unwell more quickly.

Take frequent small sips of water or an oral rehydration drink. If vomiting makes drinking difficult, pause briefly and restart with teaspoons or small mouthfuls. Rest, wash hands with soap and water, and avoid preparing food for other people while ill. When appetite returns, choose light foods in small portions and continue drinking. Do not use antibiotics unless a clinician identifies a bacterial infection; they do not treat norovirus.

Seek urgent medical advice if you cannot keep fluids down, pass very little urine, feel faint or confused, become unusually sleepy, or have severe abdominal pain, blood in the stool or vomit, or breathing difficulty. Contact a clinician if symptoms are not easing, or sooner if the person is an infant, frail older adult, pregnant, or has a condition that increases dehydration risk.

Ask whether an oral rehydration solution is suitable, how to manage regular medicines during vomiting or diarrhoea, and which symptoms should prompt same-day assessment.