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Appointment Booking

Schedule your online appointment today to address norovirus symptoms quickly. Connect with trusted healthcare professionals without leaving home. Enjoy hassle-free booking and start your journey toward recovery with expert guidance tailored to your needs.

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Personalised Treatment

Receive effective norovirus treatment online from experienced doctors. Access personalized care plans and advice to manage symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea—all from the comfort of your home. Start feeling better with expert care just a click away.

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Ongoing Support

Stay on track with continuous support for your norovirus recovery. Online consultations make it easy to get follow-ups, advice, and updates. Rest assured, knowing professional help is always available when you need it most.

Medically Reviewed

By

Chrysoula I. Liakou

MD, PhD, Internal Medicine Specialist and
Cancer Immunology Researcher.

What is Norovirus?

Norovirus is a very contagious virus that can spread quickly from one person to another. It is often called the "winter vomiting bug" and is one of the most common causes of stomach bugs worldwide. You can catch it from contaminated food, water, surfaces, or by being close to an infected person. This makes spreading it easy, especially in schools, hospitals, and cruise ships.

 

The virus is tricky and can survive in many conditions. It can live on surfaces long and is not easily killed by freezing or heating. This means regular cleaning and careful food preparation are vital to stop it from spreading.

 

Although norovirus can make you feel very sick, it usually isn’t dangerous for healthy people. Still, it spreads so quickly that it can cause significant community outbreaks. To prevent norovirus, washing your hands often with soap and water is one of the best defences.

Cleaning surfaces and preparing food safely also help stop it from spreading. By being careful and practising good hygiene, we can reduce the chances of spreading norovirus and protect ourselves and others.

Norovirus Symptoms

Norovirus symptoms can show up quickly, usually 1 to 2 days after catching the virus. Common symptoms include:

  • Nausea: Feeling like you’ll throw up, sometimes all day.
  • Vomiting: Throwing up often, which can make you feel very weak.
  • Diarrhoea: Runny or watery poop that happens several times a day.
  • Stomach Cramps: Sharp or squeezing pain in your belly that can come and go.
  • Low-Grade Fever: A slight rise in body temperature, often making you feel warm or sweaty.
  • Chills: Feeling cold and shivery, even when it’s not cold around you.
  • Fatigue: Feeling tired and not having the energy to do much.
  • Muscle Aches: Sore or stiff muscles that make moving uncomfortable.

These symptoms usually last for 1 to 3 days. Even after you feel better, you can still spread the virus for a few more days. If symptoms don’t improve or worsen, especially in young kids, older people, or those already sick, it’s essential to see a doctor.

Norovirus Causes

Norovirus spreads quickly and can be caught in several ways. Some common causes are:

  • Eating Unsafe Food: Food that isn’t washed, cooked, or handled correctly can carry the virus, especially raw fruits, veggies, or shellfish.
  • Drinking Dirty Water: Water that isn’t clean or treated can spread norovirus when you drink it or use it for cooking.
  • Touching Germy Surfaces: The virus can live on tables, doorknobs, or utensils. If you touch these and then touch your mouth, you can get sick.
  • Being Around Sick People: Close contact with someone who is throwing up or has diarrhoea can spread the virus.
  • Crowded Places: Places like schools, cruise ships, or care homes can have outbreaks because the virus spreads quickly in tight spaces.

Norovirus is very strong and can survive on surfaces or in food for a long time. It’s hard to kill with regular cleaning, so washing your hands often and keeping things clean is super important to stop the spread.

Norovirus Treatment

There is no specific cure for norovirus, but treatment focuses on managing symptoms and preventing dehydration. Norovirus symptoms typically improve within one to three days, and the following steps can help you recover faster:

  • Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of fluids to replace what is lost through vomiting and diarrhoea. Electrolyte-rich drinks like Pedialyte or Oralyte can help restore your body’s balance. For severe dehydration, especially in young children or older adults, intravenous fluids may be necessary.
  • Rest: Allow your body to recover by getting plenty of rest during your illness.
  • Eat Light Foods: Stick to a soft, bland diet with easy-to-digest foods such as rice, bread, soups, or pasta. Infants should continue their usual diet if possible.

There is no vaccine for norovirus, but research is ongoing to develop one in the future. While the illness can be uncomfortable, managing your symptoms and preventing dehydration is key to recovery. If symptoms worsen or dehydration worsens, it’s essential to seek medical attention promptly.

 

Norovirus Prevention

You can protect yourself and others from norovirus by keeping things clean and being careful. Here’s what you can do:

  • Wash Your Hands: Use soap and water to wash your hands often, especially after using the bathroom, changing diapers, or before eating. Hand sanitisers don’t work well against norovirus, so soap and water are best.
  • Clean Surfaces: Wipe down things like counters, door handles, and sinks with a bleach cleaner or something strong enough to kill germs.
  • Be Safe with Food: Wash fruits and vegetables before eating them, and cook shellfish thoroughly. Don’t make food for others if you’re sick or have been sick recently.
  • Stay Away from Sick People: If someone around you is sick, try to avoid close contact. If you’re the one who’s sick, keep your distance from others to avoid spreading the virus.
  • Wash Clothes and Bedding: If someone sick uses towels, sheets, or clothes, wash them with hot water and detergent to get rid of germs.

Following these simple steps can lower your chances of catching norovirus and help stop it from spreading to others.

Mobi Doctor makes getting professional care for norovirus easy without leaving your home. With online consultations, you can receive expert advice, symptom management tips, and ongoing support to help you recover quickly and stay hydrated.

 

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