One minute your child is fine, and the next they are throwing up. If it seems like the whole house catches it within a day or two, you may be dealing with norovirus, often called the “stomach bug.” Here is how to spot it, care for it at home, keep it from spreading, and know when to get help.
What is norovirus?
Norovirus is a very contagious virus that inflames the stomach and intestines. It is not related to the flu, even though people sometimes call it the “stomach flu.” In New England, it tends to spread most from late fall through early spring, when families, schools and offices spend more time indoors together.
According to the CDC, symptoms usually start 12 to 48 hours after someone is exposed. The most common ones are:
- Vomiting, often sudden
- Watery diarrhea
- Nausea and stomach cramps
- Sometimes a low fever, headache or body aches
Most people feel better within 1 to 3 days. The hard part is that it spreads very easily. It passes through close contact, shared food or utensils, and surfaces that a sick person has touched. People can keep spreading the virus for days after they feel better.
How to care for the stomach bug at home
There is no medicine that cures norovirus, and antibiotics do not help because it is a virus, not bacteria. The main goal is to keep enough fluid in the body while the illness runs its course.
- Sip, don’t gulp. Small, frequent sips are easier to keep down than big drinks. Start slowly after vomiting stops.
- Use an oral rehydration solution. These drinks, sold at pharmacies, replace both water and salts. Sports drinks without caffeine can help, but they are not quite as balanced.
- Ease back into food. When hunger returns, try plain, simple foods like toast, crackers, rice or bananas.
- Rest. Let the body recover, and keep sick family members home.
Before giving any over-the-counter medicine for nausea or diarrhea, especially to a child, check the label and ask a pharmacist or clinician whether it is right for your situation.
Watch for signs of dehydration
Losing fluids from vomiting and diarrhea is the biggest risk with norovirus. Young children, older adults and people with other health problems are most at risk. Watch for:
- Peeing much less than usual
- Dry mouth and throat
- Feeling dizzy when standing up
- In children, crying with few or no tears
- Being unusually sleepy or fussy
If you notice these signs, or if someone cannot keep down even small sips, it is time to be seen. Our clinicians can check for dehydration, run lab tests on site if needed, and talk about next steps. Learn more about our stomach and urinary care.
Stop the stomach bug from spreading
Norovirus is tough. It can live on surfaces and survive some common cleaners. The CDC’s prevention guidance recommends these steps:
- Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers and before eating or cooking. Hand sanitizer does not work well against norovirus, so use it only in addition to handwashing, not instead of it.
- Disinfect with bleach. Clean up vomit or diarrhea right away, then use a chlorine bleach solution or a cleaner labeled to work against norovirus. Follow the product directions.
- Wash laundry carefully. Wear gloves, don’t shake soiled items, and wash them in hot water, then dry on high heat.
- Stay home and stay out of the kitchen. Avoid cooking for others or caring for others until at least 2 days after symptoms stop.
- Cook shellfish fully and rinse fruits and vegetables.
When to visit urgent care
Most stomach bugs can be handled at home. Come see us if:
- You or your child shows mild signs of dehydration
- Vomiting or diarrhea lasts more than a couple of days
- You are not sure whether it is a stomach bug or something else
- You have a fever with stomach pain that worries you
Our Acton and Canton clinics treat children and adults 7 days a week, and no appointment is needed. To shorten your wait, you can reserve your spot online before you come in. Not sure where to go? Read our guide on urgent care or the emergency room.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if…
- There is blood in the vomit or stool, or vomit looks like coffee grounds
- There is severe or constant belly pain, especially low on the right side
- Someone is very drowsy, confused, hard to wake, or fainting
- A baby or child has very few wet diapers or no urine for many hours, or a sunken soft spot on the head
- Someone cannot keep any fluids down and seems to be getting worse
- There is a stiff neck, high fever, or trouble breathing
When in doubt, trust your instincts. If something feels seriously wrong, get emergency care right away.