What are the symptoms of norovirus?

Norovirus causes stomach flu. The symptoms are:

• diarrhoea
• nausea and vomiting
• fever
• headache
• stomach pain or cramps

Vomiting caused by the norovirus can start suddenly and is often very intense.
These symptoms could also be caused by a sapovirus infection, which looks a lot like norovirus.

Who can become very ill from norovirus?

Anyone can get a norovirus infection. Some people have a higher risk of becoming ill. This is especially applicable to people who spend time in groups, such as in a nursing home, at a childcare facility or at a large party.

Some people can become very ill from the norovirus. For example, they might be ill for longer, or have a higher risk of dehydration. This mainly applies to:

• young children
• older people (over 65)
• people who already have another health condition
• people with weakened immune systems

How does norovirus spread?

Norovirus is very contagious. The virus is found in the stool and vomit of an infected person. If other people are exposed to the stool (poop) or vomit, they could also become ill. This often happens indirectly, for example through contact with hands or the toilet seat.

Because it is present in stool material, norovirus also ends up in wastewater. Oysters and mussels that are cultivated in contaminated water could also contain the virus.

Norovirus is also airborne: you can catch it by breathing it in. This could happen if you are present in a room where someone vomited, or when an infected person is talking to you. You could breathe in the virus through tiny droplets in the air.

If a person is infected, that person’s stool can remain contagious for as long as three weeks. The time between exposure and illness is 1 to 3 days.

How can I prevent norovirus?

There are no immunisations or medicines to prevent a norovirus infection. That is why you cannot always avoid infection and illness. Good hygiene – such as washing hands and regularly cleaning the toilet – does help to prevent infection. Also use disposable gloves and disinfectant to clean up vomit or diarrhoea. Read our tips for preventing diarrhoea.

Is there any treatment for norovirus?

A norovirus infection usually goes away on its own after 2 or 3 days. It can take longer in children.

To prevent dehydration, it is important to drink enough fluids and get salt and sugar. This is possible by drinking tea (with sugar), water, bouillon or rehydration salts (ORS). If you are nauseous, do not drink too much at once. Instead, drink small amounts on a regular basis. For example, sip a spoonful of water every ten minutes.

How common is norovirus in the Netherlands?

Stomach flu caused by norovirus is common in the Netherlands. About 4.5 million people in the Netherlands get stomach flu every year. About half a million of these cases are caused by the norovirus.

Can a person with norovirus go to childcare, school or work?

Adults and children with stomach flu should preferably stay home. In any case, they often feel too ill to go to school, childcare or work. Once the symptoms are gone and the person feels well again, they can go to childcare, school or work as usual. If you work in food services, in healthcare or with young children, wait at least 24 hours before going back to work. Also consult with your employer about when you can go back to work.

If your child has stomach flu, it is important to tell your child’s teacher or childcare worker. Then the school or childcare facility can warn other children’s parents, for example by hanging a note on the door.