What does diarrhoea feel like with norovirus infection?

Norovirus irritates the digestive tract and can cause a rapid change from feeling well to repeated loose stools and vomiting. Abdominal cramps, nausea, headache, low fever, chills, or aching may occur. The illness can spread easily through contaminated hands, food, surfaces, or close contact, so several people in a household or group may become unwell. Diarrhoea has many causes, and symptoms alone cannot confirm norovirus.

Take frequent small sips of water or oral rehydration solution; small amounts may be easier to keep down than a full glass. Rest and return to bland, familiar foods as your appetite allows. Wash hands with soap and water, clean contaminated surfaces carefully, and avoid preparing food for others while unwell. Stay home from work, school, or care duties until you have recovered and follow local public-health advice.

Get urgent help if you cannot keep fluids down, feel faint or confused, pass very little urine, have severe abdominal pain, blood in the stool or vomit, or become unusually drowsy. Contact a clinician promptly for infants, older adults, pregnant people, or anyone with a long-term illness who develops repeated vomiting or diarrhoea, because dehydration can develop quickly.

Ask which rehydration drink is suitable, whether your medicines should be adjusted while you are losing fluid, and what symptoms should prompt review. Tell the clinician when the illness began, how often you are vomiting or passing stool, whether you can urinate normally, and whether others are sick.