what are the symptoms of norovirus

Norovirus usually causes a sudden onset of vomiting and diarrhea, often with intense nausea and stomach cramps, and symptoms typically last 1–3 days. It can make people feel very unwell, but most otherwise healthy adults recover fully at home with rest and fluids.

Main symptoms of norovirus

The illness is a type of acute gastroenteritis, so most symptoms are gut- related.

Typical symptoms:

• Nausea (feeling very sick).

• Sudden vomiting, which can be forceful and frequent.

• Watery diarrhea, often many times a day.

• Stomach or abdominal pain and cramping.

Other common symptoms:

• Low-grade fever or feeling feverish.

• Headache.

• Muscle or body aches and general weakness or fatigue.

• Sometimes loss of taste or reduced appetite.

Symptoms usually start 12–48 hours after exposure and last around 24–72 hours.

Warning signs to watch for

The biggest risk with norovirus is dehydration , especially in young children, older adults, and people with other health problems.

Watch for:

• Very little or no urination.

• Dry mouth and throat.

• Feeling dizzy or lightheaded when standing.

• In children: few or no tears when crying, unusual sleepiness, or extreme fussiness.

Severe, ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, high fever, confusion, or signs of dehydration are reasons to seek urgent medical help.

How it feels day-to-day

Many people describe norovirus as a very sudden “stomach flu” that comes on over a few hours, with:

• Rapidly worsening nausea, then repeated vomiting and/or diarrhea.

• Needing to run to the bathroom often, sometimes without much warning.

• Feeling wiped out, with achy muscles and a mild fever.

Most people start to feel significantly better after 1–3 days, though fatigue can linger a bit longer.

When to get medical advice

Contact a healthcare professional or urgent service if:

• Symptoms last more than 3 days, are getting worse, or you cannot keep any fluids down.

• You see blood in vomit or stool, have strong abdominal pain, or a high fever.

• A baby, older adult, pregnant person, or someone with a chronic illness seems unwell or dehydrated.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.