Norovirus: Advice on symptoms and treatment

  • Central
The virus spreads quickly in environments such as hospitals, schools and care homes Credit: ITV Central

Winter Vomiting Bug is also known as Norovirus, it is highly contagious and can be passed onto others by contact with contaminated surfaces, objects or by eating contaminated food.

The virus spreads quickly in environments such as hospitals, schools and care homes.

Symptoms of norovirus include:

  • A sudden onset of vomiting and/or diarrhoea

  • A temperature

  • A headache

  • Stomach cramps

Advice for the public managing a bout of norovirus:

  • Use NHS Direct's new diarrhoea and vomiting online health and symptom checker, to get advice on how to manage your symptoms at home.

  • Wash hands thoroughly and regularly at all times, but particularly after using the toilet and before eating.

  • Do not visit friends or relatives in hospitals or residential care homes as there is a real risk that you would introduce the infection putting vulnerable people at risk.