What is norovirus?

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis, commonly known as ‘gastro’. If your child has gastroenteritis, this means their stomach and intestines are inflamed.

Norovirus spreads easily through:

• contaminated food
• contaminated surfaces
• tiny droplets of vomit or stool (poo)

Norovirus is very common — in Australia, around 1.8 million people get norovirus each year. It can occur at any time of year but it’s most common between late winter and early summer.

Outbreaks of norovirus are sudden increases in the number of people who have norovirus. Outbreaks are most common in places where people are in close contact with each other, such as:

• schools
• childcare centres
• hospitals

What are the symptoms of norovirus?

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What causes norovirus?

Norovirus infection is caused by exposure to norovirus. Norovirus is a very infectious disease that spreads easily from person to person through:

• eating food contaminated by the virus, such as food that has been prepared by someone who is infected
• drinking contaminated water
• touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your mouth
• close contact with someone who has norovirus infection, such as sharing cutlery
• breathing in tiny particles when someone vomits

Children are usually contagious from when their symptoms start until at least 2 days after their symptoms stop. Some children will remain contagious for up to 2 weeks after their symptoms have stopped.

When should I see my doctor?

If your child is less than 12 months of age and has any symptoms of norovirus, see your doctor immediately.

Norovirus can cause dehydration if your child loses too much fluid through vomiting or diarrhoea. See your doctor if your child has symptoms of dehydration, such as:

• fewer wet nappies, or their nappies not being as wet as usual
• a dry mouth
• dark yellow or brown urine (wee)

When to seek emergency care

Get emergency care if your child has symptoms of severe dehydration, such as:

• being very thirsty
• being less active than usual
• pale skin and sunken eyes
• cold hands
• red or blue patches on their skin

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How is norovirus diagnosed?

Your doctor can diagnose norovirus based on your child’s symptoms. Further testing is not usually needed.

In some situations, such as an outbreak in a childcare centre, testing may be done to:

• confirm the cause of the virus
• help control the spread of the virus

If testing is required, a sample of your child’s stool is sent to a pathology laboratory. The sample is then tested to check for any viruses.

How is norovirus treated?

There is no specific treatment for norovirus. Treatment focuses on keeping your child comfortable and preventing dehydration while their body fights the infection.

If your child has norovirus, here are some things that may help:

• Give your child plenty of fluids. Offer them small, frequent sips.
• Your doctor may recommend an oral rehydration solution — you can get this from your pharmacy or chemist.
• If an oral rehydration solution is not available, you can give your child small amounts of diluted juice, soft drink or cordial. Avoid giving them undiluted sugary or fizzy drinks, as this can make diarrhoea worse.
• Continue breastfeeding if your baby is breastfed. Offer feeds more often if needed.
• Offer your child small amounts of food if they feel hungry. Avoid foods that are high in sugar or fat.

Don’t give your child medicines to stop vomiting or diarrhoea unless your doctor advises you to.

Most children start to feel better after 1 or 2 days without medical treatment. Some babies and children with other medical conditions may take longer to recover.

What are the complications of norovirus?

Most babies and children recover from norovirus after 1 to 3 days without any complications.

The most common complication of norovirus is dehydration. Babies and young children have smaller fluid reserves — this means that losing fluids through vomiting and diarrhoea can cause dehydration more quickly.

Severe complications of norovirus are uncommon, but may include:

• electrolyte imbalances, such as low potassium
• worsening of existing medical conditions

Can norovirus be prevented?

There is no vaccine to prevent norovirus infection. To lower your child’s chance of infection, try to limit their exposure to the virus.

Keep your child at home

Norovirus spreads easily, so keeping sick children at home helps protect others:

• Keep your child at home from childcare or school until they have had no vomiting or diarrhoea for 48 hours.
• Do not let your child go swimming until they have had no diarrhoea for 24 hours.

Hand washing

Hand washing is especially important to help prevent your child getting norovirus. Wash your child’s hands with soap and running water for 15 to 20 seconds:

• after they use the toilet
• after they touch any contaminated surfaces
• before they eat

You should also wash your hands regularly when caring for a child with norovirus infection. This includes:

• after changing your child’s nappies
• before eating
• before preparing food

Clean thoroughly

If your child has norovirus, it’s important to:

• clean contaminated surfaces with hot, soapy water
• wash any soiled clothing and bedding with detergent
• flush vomit or diarrhoea down the toilet and clean the surrounding area well

Public health measures

Norovirus is a notifiable disease in some places. This means if your child has norovirus, your doctor will tell your local public health unit.

The public health unit may talk to you to help find out:

• where your child caught norovirus
• who your child has been in contact with

This is called contact tracing, and it helps limit the spread of norovirus.

Resources and support

Learn more about the symptoms and treatment of norovirus infection on the National Health and Medical Research Council page.

Read about the National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System and other notifiable diseases on the Australian Centre for Disease Control page.

Languages other than English

The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne offers information on dehydration in babies and children in languages other than English.