Norovirus (Vomiting Bug) Treatment

Lifestyle Modifications

To alleviate symptoms, prevent dehydration, and stop the spread of the virus.

• Stay at home and get plenty of rest to aid recovery and prevent further spread of the virus.
• Drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash, taking small sips if you feel sick. For babies, continue breast or bottle feeding, offering small feeds more often; give small sips of water between feeds to babies on formula or solid foods.
• Eat when you feel able to, opting for bland foods and avoiding anything fatty or spicy. Do not consume fruit juice or fizzy drinks, as they can worsen diarrhea, and do not weaken baby formula.
• Practice strict hygiene: wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after using the toilet, changing nappies, and before preparing or eating food (alcohol hand gels are ineffective against norovirus). Wash contaminated clothes and bedding at 60°C separately from other laundry, and regularly clean toilet seats, flush handles, taps, and bathroom door handles.
• Prevent spread by avoiding contact with others as much as possible. Do not return to school, nursery, work, or visit vulnerable individuals in hospitals or care homes until you have been free of sickness and diarrhea for at least 2 days.

Urgent medical advice should be sought for babies under 12 months, children under 5 with signs of dehydration, or if vomiting/diarrhea persists for more than 2/7 days respectively, or if there are signs of severe dehydration, bloody diarrhea, or inability to keep fluids down.

Medicinal Treatment

To manage symptoms, prevent dehydration, and support recovery.

• Take paracetamol if you are in discomfort, always checking the leaflet for appropriate dosage, especially before giving it to a child.
• Consider using oral rehydration powder mixed with water to make a drink, particularly if you or your child (aged 5 years or over) show signs of dehydration (e.g., dark, smelly urine, peeing less than usual). This is especially recommended for older persons, those with weakened immune systems, or other health conditions that increase dehydration risk.
• Avoid certain medications: do not give medicine to stop diarrhea to children under 12, and do not give aspirin to children under 16.
• Consult a pharmacist if you or your child (aged 5 years or over) have signs of dehydration, are at high risk, or need to temporarily stop diarrhea for a few hours; they can recommend suitable oral rehydration solutions.

Surgical Treatment

Not applicable, as Norovirus is managed with supportive care.

• Surgical intervention is not a treatment for Norovirus, as it is a viral infection that typically resolves on its own with supportive care.
• The primary focus of managing Norovirus is on symptom relief and preventing dehydration through non-surgical methods.
• In extremely rare cases where severe dehydration leads to life-threatening complications, hospitalisation for intensive care, including intravenous fluid replacement, may be required, but this does not involve surgery.