Norovirus: Symptoms and treatment

eAwazMedicine

Ottawa – When you’re infected with norovirus, symptoms may start as soon as 12 hours after exposure. Most people feel better within 2 to 3 days.

The main symptoms include:

  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • stomach pain and cramps
  • vomiting (children usually experience more vomiting than adults)

You may also experience:

  • chills
  • fatigue
  • headache
  • muscle aches
  • low-grade fever

If you become ill

If you think you have norovirus, contact your health care provider.

Norovirus can make you vomit and have diarrhea several times a day. This can lead to dehydration (loss of fluids). Drink plenty of liquids to replace lost fluids. If you have a severe case, you may need to be admitted to hospital and given fluids intravenously (through a needle inserted in a vein).

Diagnosing norovirus

Your health care provider can diagnose norovirus infections. They might take a sample of your stool or vomit for laboratory testing.

Treating norovirus

There is no prescription medication to treat norovirus infections. Most people begin to feel better on their own within 2 or 3 days and do not experience any long-term health effects. You can get norovirus more than once.