Norovirus symptoms: How to spot the signs and start your path to recovery

When norovirus hits, it hits fast. The sudden nausea, vomiting and stomach cramps can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re not sure what’s causing them. Often referred to as the “stomach flu” (even though it'snot related to the influenza virus), this highly contagious virus can strike any time of the year, though it typically circulates between November and April, causing inflammation of the stomach and intestines. 

Norovirus is one of the most common causes of stomach-related illness in the United States, and because there are many different strains, it’s possible to catch it more than once in your lifetime. Households with young children, older adults or people with weakened immune systems should be particularly cautious.

As this fast-moving virus makes its rounds, understanding how to spot symptoms early can help you navigate your recovery and avoid bringing an unwanted illness into your home and your community.

How is norovirus spread?

While most infections are mild and last only a few days, one of the biggest challenges with norovirus is how easily it spreads. You only need a tiny amount of the virus to become sick. Norovirus can move from person to person through several common pathways:

Direct contact with someone who is sick

If you’re caring for a sick family member or sharing close space with someone who has norovirus, exposure is very likely.

Eating or drinking contaminated food or water

Norovirus outbreaks often occur in places where many people eat food prepared in the same kitchen, such as restaurants, schools and catered events. Contamination can happen if an infected person prepares food without proper handwashing.

Touching contaminated surfaces

The virus can live on counters, doorknobs, stair railings, light switches and other high-touch areas for days. Touching a contaminated surface, such as a button on the elevator that someone who is infected with norovirus touched, and then touching your mouth can lead to infection.

Because of these factors, norovirus often spreads quickly in households, schools, childcare centers, long-term care facilities and even cruise ships. Environments where people share close space or high-touch areas create easy pathways for the virus to move from one person to another.

What are norovirus symptoms?

Norovirus can affect each person a little differently, but most infections follow a similar pattern. After the virus enters the body, symptoms usually appear 12–48 hours after exposure and tend to come on suddenly. The most common symptoms of norovirus include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stomach cramping
• Feeling weak or tired
• Low-grade fever
• Headache
• Muscle aches

Vomiting and diarrhea may be intense during the first day or two. Most people start to feel better within 24–72 hours from the onset of symptoms.

Watch for signs of dehydration

Dehydration is a common complication of norovirus, especially in young children and older adults. Common warning signs of dehydration include:

• Dry mouth
• Cracked lips
• Dizziness
• Feeling lightheaded when standing up

Additionally, you may notice that your urine becomes darker yellow or that you’re not urinating as often. Children may have sunken eyes or become unusually sleepy, irritable or fussy. These symptoms suggest the body is losing more fluids than it’s taking in, and they should not be ignored. If dehydration continues or worsens, it can become dangerous and requires immediate medical treatment.

How long are you contagious with norovirus? 

People infected with norovirus can spread the virus even before they feel sick, and they remain most contagious while experiencing symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), you can continue to shed the virus and potentially infect others for at least 48 hours after your symptoms have ended. In some cases, the virus can still be present in stool for up to two weeks or longer, which is why careful hygiene and limiting close contact during that time are essential.

Because norovirus is so easily transmitted, staying home and avoiding preparing food for others until at least two days after your symptoms stop helps reduce the spread.

Your plan for quick relief: How to manage norovirus symptoms

There is no specific medication that cures norovirus, and unfortunately, antibiotics won’t help because it is a viral infection. The most important part of treatment is staying hydrated. Drinking plenty of fluids, such as water, electrolyte drinks or oral rehydration solutions, helps your body replace what it loses through vomiting and diarrhea. If nausea makes it difficult to drink, taking small, frequent sips is often easier to tolerate.

As symptoms improve, you can slowly add bland foods such as toast, bananas, crackers or applesauce. These are generally easier on the stomach while you recover. It also helps to avoid dairy products, greasy foods, caffeine and alcohol until your stomach feels settled again. Rest is essential, and most people begin feeling better within a couple of days. 

When to connect with your care team 

Most healthy adults can manage norovirus at home, but there are times when medical care is necessary. You should contact your doctor or seek urgent care if symptoms last longer than three days or you cannot keep fluids down. Severe abdominal pain, a persistent high fever or any blood in your vomit or stool also warrant a call to your doctor.

4 simple steps to prevent the spread of norovirus 

When it comes to preventing the spread of norovirus, good hygiene is your best defense. Because the virus is so contagious, prevention requires consistency and attention to detail. 

1. Wash your hands thoroughly

Hand sanitizer does not kill norovirus as effectively as soap and water. Wash your hands:

• Before eating
• After using the bathroom
• After caring for someone who is sick
• After changing diapers
• After cleaning up vomit or diarrhea 

Scrub with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds, or long enough to hum “Happy Birthday” twice.

2. Disinfect surfaces

Use a bleach-based cleaner or a disinfectant labeled effective against norovirus. Pay special attention to high-touch surfaces like counters, faucets, doorknobs and toilet handles. 

3. Handle food safely

If you’re sick, avoid preparing or handling food until at least 48 hours after symptoms stop. Wash produce well, cook shellfish thoroughly and keep raw and cooked foods separate. It’s recommended to throw away any food that may be contaminated with norovirus, as the virus can survive quick-steam cooking methods that don’t reach high enough temperatures to kill it.

4. Stay home when you’re sick

Because norovirus spreads so quickly, going to work or school while sick increases the risk of an outbreak. Many school districts and employers encourage people to stay home until they’ve been symptom-free for two full days.

Stay ahead of norovirus with smart prevention

Norovirus isn’t pleasant, but it’s usually short-lived. With good hygiene and quick action at the first signs of symptoms, most people recover without complications. And remember that staying home when you’re sick protects not only your health but the health of friends, coworkers and neighbors.

If you have questions about symptoms of norovirus or need help deciding when to seek care, your healthcare provider or your child’s pediatrician can guide you.

Think you or a family member have contracted norovirus? Use the Help Me Decide tool in the MyBSWHealth app to check your symptoms or explore same-day care options.