What is winter vomiting virus?
Also known as Norovirus, winter vomiting is a highly contagious stomach bug that is the most common cause of gastroenteritis.What are the symptoms of winter vomiting virus?
A sudden feeling of nausea followed by projectile vomiting and a watery diarrhoea are the main norovirus symptoms. Some people might also have a high temperature, headaches and aching limbs. The symptoms usually start one to two days after being infected with the vomiting bug, but they can start 12 hours after.How long does norovirus last?
The symptoms of norovirus can last from 12 - 60 hours, but most people feel better after 48 hours.What if the virus lasts longer than 48 hours?
If it's still not gone after two days, call NHS Direct or your GP, because there could be something else going on.How does winter vomiting virus spread?
It's highly contagious, so anyone infected can pass on the winter vomiting bug with the smallest amount of contact, or through contaminated food, drink or surfaces. Luckily, you can stop other people catching the vomiting virus from you.How do I treat the virus?
There is no actual treatment for norovirus, apart from allowing it to run its course. Anyone who gets it should drink plenty of water, though, to avoid dehydration. Read our top tips to avoid and survive the winter vomiting virus/norovirus.Should I go to the doctor?
No. Official advice is to stay away from your surgery or A&E. The reason for this is because they can't do anything to help you, apart from confirm you have the norovirus. You also risk passing it on by going to a packed doctor's waiting room. Read how you can prevent passsing on the vomiting bug.What if my child gets winter vomiting virus?
The same advice applies. Call your doctor and follow their instructions. Make sure your son or daughter drinks lots and, if the norovirus symptoms last longer than 48 hours, get in touch with your GP or NHS Direct again on 0845 4647.Where to next?
- How to avoid or survive the winter vomiting virus- Get all the facts on gastroenteritis
- Remedies for gastroenteritis
- How to avoid coughs and colds
- More info on the common cold and flu
- Have you had winter vomiting virus? Are you worried about getting norovirus? Talk about it with other women in Chat
Your comments
Linda
I was woken up on Wednesday morning with terrible pains in my stomach,got to the toilet and just sat the crying with the pain and then I had really bad diarrhoea,and haven't been well since,this will be my 4th day with it,all I have is soup,in bed most of the time,have pains in my lower back and legs,have no appertiate and feel weak,I thought it only lasted 48 hours.
meg
i . wokeup this morning fine and the had luch i went to the toilet and straight after that i felt horrible
Jayne Cherrington-Cook
Sorry to hear you've been feeling so bad. If you're still feeling poorly in a couple of days, definitely go and see your doctor! Get well soon.
tony e
i started with the bug on thursday just felt a little nauseas all day by friday was clutching my stomach in agony and moaning with pain (must have sonded strange to the neighbours) have had watery dihorea since friday and felt sickly but no actual vomiting as yet ,has got steadily worse over couple of days is now sunday and stomach cramps and burning pain are worse than ever ,eating and drinking seems to add to the problem intensifying the symptoms bt i feel so weak i have had to have something and suffer the conseqences hope it passes soon way over a 48hr bug though
Matt Thomas Battersby
Was fine this morning, apart from not really being able to drag myself out of bed and was a little dizzy on the way to school. Sat in Physics and got a weird 'hungry' feeling. Was sick once, in class :(, and was sent home, have not got what everyone else is saying, but more constipation. I also have aching legs, hopefully this will pass because I feel like a complete waste of space.
naneenj
I got up feeling good..had lunch at work and then back to my desk. I started feeling a strange pain in the pit of my stomach with nausea. (lord i hate to throw up)..i felt horrible for 1/2 hour then the gates of a virus opened...water dirrehea and then vomitting..strange i would feel better after vomitting. however withing a 1/2 hour i would repeat this strange affects over and over again...when i finally would come to rest, there was horrible leg pains that would only subside by proping my feet in the air. I sipped tea (not drink) this morning i am taking in small amounts of jello and drinking more tea. My head is hurting, im sure from dehydration and my body is sore from the vomitting.
carol davis
on monday i woke up feeling ok but within 1 hour i was stuck on the loo with my head over the bath!! all day i was sick and running for the loo and at night i had aching legs which stoped me from sleeping. my mum told me to boil water and let it cool to drink. which i did but tried to have a cup of tea which came up a little later. tuesday i felt the same. just drunk boiled water and had 2 toast. wed i felt sick alllll day. but the aching has subsided. i still havent ate much just a nibble of fish-cake and 2/3 chips.
jacqueline jenkins
I am very rarely ill like I don't have a cold and if and when I do it's really bad, This came on my last Monday with cold like symtoms, by wednesday I felt it hit me for six, I came in from outside after seeing to my Dogs, you would swear someone had thrown a bucket of water over me I was soaking right through Flu like symtoms could not lift my head of the pillow Friday aching from head to toe, My stomache as had terrible cramps and rolling with pain could'nt keep water down or in my system everything drank or eaten like soup was going staight through me it is now Sunday and there is no change to the way I feel or am I think i'm feeling better until the day goes on I would not wish this is anyone.
Tina Fotherby
As the virus can be spread by hand and surface contact, if you are caring for somone with the virus, you might might want to use wipes and sprays that are proven to kill norovirus. New PatientPak kits contain four anti-microbial wipes and sprays that are proven to kill this bug, so they can certainly help with prevention. The formula is gentle to hands too.
ceri jones
i am due on the 14 jan and just come down with the norovirus and i feel terrable contant vommating and diaria it feels afull i am trying to keep people away but people dont lisen all i can take is warter as i am really ill with it