If you have symptoms of norovirus follow the NHS advice.
You can catch norovirus by:
- close contact with someone who has norovirus
- eating food or drinks prepared or handled by someone who has norovirus
- touching items or surfaces that have the norovirus germ on them and then touching your mouth
- drinking unclean water or infected food
People usually recover in about 2 days, but it can cause serious illness for some - for example, children under 5 years, older adults and those with weakened immunity.
There's currently no vaccine to help prevent norovirus and antibiotics do not work against it.
How to avoid spreading norovirus
To avoid spreading norovirus:
- wash your hands with soap and water after going to the toilet or changing nappies (alcohol hand gels do not kill norovirus)
- wash your hands with soap and water before preparing, serving or eating food
- wash clothes and bedding that has poo or vomit on it on a 60°C wash and separately from other laundry
- clean toilet seats, flush handles, taps and bathroom door handles
- avoid contact with others as much as possible
- do not go to school, nursery or work or visit others in hospital or care homes until 48 hours after the last episode of sickness or diarrhoea