Norovirus is a stomach and intestinal virus that’s very contagious. It passes easily through direct or indirect contact with an infected person. It can spread quickly in close quarters such as hospitals, schools, and day care centers.

There’s no specific treatment for norovirus other than rest and rehydration. The most significant complication is dehydration.

Norovirus can be serious and even fatal in the very young, older adults, and people with other health problems.

Because there are many norovirus strains, having it once doesn’t prevent you from getting it again. You can lower the risk of disease transmission by washing your hands thoroughly and frequently.

Symptoms of infection usually start somewhere between 12 and 48 hours after you’ve been exposed to the virus. They can range from quite mild to severe. Some signs and symptoms of norovirus are:

Symptoms usually last between 24 to 72 hours.

See your doctor if symptoms persist beyond that or if you see blood in your stools. Severe diarrhea can lead to dehydration, which should be considered a medical emergency. Signs and symptoms of dehydration include:

  • dry mouth and throat
  • decreased output of urine or dark urine
  • no wet diaper for 6 to 8 hours in infants
  • no urine in 12 hours for children
  • sunken eyes
  • sleepiness and fatigue
  • headache
  • dizziness
  • confusion and lethargy
  • rapid heart rate

Dehydration can be life threatening, especially for the following groups:

  • people with a weakened immune system
  • people with preexisting health conditions
  • the very old and the very young
  • organ or stem cell transplant recipients

In some cases, the virus causes no symptoms. This is especially common in children. However, if your child cries without producing tears, that’s a common sign of significant dehydration. Seek medical care right away. They might also act fussy and irritable.

There’s no special medication for norovirus. It’s not a bacterial infection, so antibiotics won’t help. Treatment is mainly supportive, aimed at preventing dehydration.

Here are some self-care tips:

Rest

Don’t push yourself. Stay home and rest.

Replenish fluids

Drink plenty of fluids. To replace electrolytes, oral hydration solutions, like Pedialyte, are recommended for all ages. They’re especially necessary in infants and children.

Sports drinks, popsicles, and broths should only be taken by older children and adults. Stay away from sugary drinks, as these can worsen diarrhea. You should also avoid drinks that contain caffeine or alcohol.

Continue your diet

Infants should continue breastfeeding or formula feeding while being rehydrated.

For children and adults, as appetite picks up, some good choices are:

  • soups
  • plain noodles
  • rice
  • pasta
  • eggs
  • potatoes
  • crackers or bread
  • fresh fruit
  • yogurt
  • Jell-O
  • cooked vegetables
  • lean proteins like chicken and fish

Talk to your doctor

You can try an over-the-counter (OTC) anti-diarrheal, but not if you have a fever, severe diarrhea, or bloody stools. Don’t give OTC medications to infants or children with vomiting or diarrhea, unless instructed by your doctor. You should start to feel better within a few days.

However, call your doctor:

  • if you have a fever
  • if you can’t tolerate liquids
  • if your diarrhea is severe or lasts more than three days
  • if your stools are bloody
  • if you have any serious preexisting health problem
  • if you normally take prescription medications, but can’t keep them down

Norovirus is extremely contagious. Anyone can acquire the virus, and that doesn’t protect you from getting infected by it again. Here’s why it’s so contagious:

  • It takes only 18 virus particles to make you sick.
  • The virus has a short incubation period. That means you can spread it around before you know you’re sick.
  • The virus is hardy and can survive outside your body for several days.
  • You can continue to spread the virus for two weeks or longer after symptoms fade.
  • You can have the virus without any symptoms. However, you can still transmit the virus despite this.

Babies and toddlers are particularly vulnerable to norovirus infection. They’re more likely than healthy adults to have serious complications.

Symptoms in infants and children are likely to include:

  • irritability or fussiness
  • sleepiness
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea

There’s a serious risk of dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea. The younger the child, the less vomiting and diarrhea they can tolerate. Call your pediatrician if your child:

  • is under 6 months old and has experienced vomiting or diarrhea
  • has had six or more watery stools in 24 hours
  • has vomited three times or more in 24 hours
  • has pale or mottled skin
  • isn’t producing tears
  • has sunken eyes
  • has a fever
  • is lethargic or less responsive than usual
  • has bloody diarrhea
  • complains of dizziness
  • produces little to no urine — no wet diapers for an infant in 6 to 8 hours or no urine for 12 hours in an older child
  • has had symptoms lasting two days
  • has a coexisting health problem

Norovirus spreads quickly among children. Infected children shouldn’t attend school, day care, or other activities. Children should be taught to wash their hands frequently, especially after using the bathroom.

Getting norovirus when you’re pregnant shouldn’t harm your baby or your own health in the long term.

If you have diarrhea and vomiting while pregnant, it’s a good idea to contact your doctor right away. It may be norovirus, but it could be something else.

Take steps to avoid dehydration, which can be a serious complication of norovirus. When you have vomiting and diarrhea, drink plenty of fluids, like Pedialyte. Limit beverages containing caffeine.

Ask your doctor before taking any OTC medication during pregnancy.

Norovirus is highly contagious and persistent. There’s no vaccine to prevent it, but there are some things you can do to lower the risk of transmission.

  • Wash your hands after using the toilet, changing a diaper, or caring for a sick person. Use soap and running water for at least 20 seconds. If you don’t have access to soap and water, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • When caring for a sick person, wear gloves and use plastic bags to dispose of soiled materials or diapers. Use disinfectant or a chlorine bleach solution on contaminated surfaces. Handle contaminated clothes carefully and launder them right away.
  • Don’t consume food or beverages prepared by someone with the infection, and avoid sharing utensils.
  • Wash your hands before preparing or eating food.
  • Wash all produce before cutting into or eating it.
  • Don’t eat raw or undercooked seafood.
  • If you’re sick, stay home. This is especially important if you work in food service, healthcare, or education. Sick children shouldn’t attend school, day care, or other activities.
  • Don’t travel until you’re fully recovered.
  • Don’t use public swimming pools when you have diarrhea.

Remember, you can still spread the virus for up to two weeks after symptoms subside. Because there are many different strains of the virus, having it once doesn’t protect you from getting it again.