By: Shreya Doshi, MBBS, FAAP
Does your child suddenly have diarrhea and vomiting? The cause might be
norovirus.
Norovirus is a common illness that spreads quickly, especially during winter. But can make people sick anytime. Here's what you need to know about norovirus and how to care for your child.
What is norovirus?
Norovirus is the leading cause of vomiting and diarrhea from acute
gastroenteritis in the United States. (Gastroenteritis is the medical term for an angry, inflamed digestive system that tries to cleanse itself by emptying from both ends.) Norovirus is also the #1 cause of foodborne illness.
Norovirus is highly contagious, which means that it can easily pass to other people before you even know your child has it. This virus sickens millions in the U.S. during flu (influenza) season, which runs from November to April.
The virus is so common it's been nicknamed "the winter vomiting bug." But even though some people call norovirus the "stomach flu," it isn't the same as
influenza.
Symptoms of norovirus
The main symptoms of norovirus are nausea, vomiting and watery diarrhea. These are often seen with other symptoms that include:
Belly pain and cramps
Fever
Headache
Muscle pain
Feeling tired
Recent norovirus outbreaks
Health providers reported more than 189 outbreaks of norovirus in the last week of January 2025—the highest U.S. weekly count since 2012.
Although experts don't know the cause of this latest surge, a newer form of norovirus might be to blame. The GII.17 strain—a relatively new strain may be responsible, and people may have little immunity to it. Nearly 7 in 10 U.S. outbreaks seen in late 2024 were triggered by this strain.
How long does norovirus last?
In most cases, though, kids make a full recovery in 2 to 3 days (or a little longer for younger children). But it's important to be aware that around 460,000 people in the U.S.—mostly young children—go to the emergency department every year with extreme cases of norovirus.
What should I do if I think my child has norovirus?
Monitor your child's symptoms closely
Ongoing vomiting and diarrhea can quickly lead to
dehydration. Signs include dark-colored pee, dry mouth, weakness, dizziness and fewer wet diapers or trips to the bathroom.
A dehydrated child might also cry without tears or feel sleepy and fussy throughout the day. It is important to offer your child water or other fluids that can help with hydration.
If your child can't keep anything down—you sense this is serious—call your pediatrician
There's no cure for norovirus, but the doctor may want to see your child anyway to rule out more serious issues. Note: if your child has a
weakened immune system, call your doctor at the first signs of norovirus.
Keep your child away from other people
This can be tricky if they share bathrooms and bedrooms with siblings and others. But it's your best chance of keeping the virus from spreading. (Keep reading for more tips to prevent cross-infection.)
How can I make my child more comfortable as they recover from norovirus?
Help them rehydrate
Offer small sips of
electrolyte drink will help replace key minerals they've lost. Other options include water, ice chips, broth or fruit juice mixed with water. Avoid milk or sports drinks, soda and other sugary choices, which can make symptoms worse.
Once they can keep clear liquids down, offer a little food
A few little bites at a time may prevent further vomiting. Choose easy-to-digest foods with no seasoning such as fruits, vegetables, low-sugar yogurt or whole-grain bread.
Your child is likely to feel worn out, so don't worry if they doze for hours on end. Getting plenty of rest will help recharge the body's systems.
Keep them in their own space
Your child can spread the virus to others easily for at least 48 hours—possibly longer—after norovirus symptoms disappear. Make a comfy nest they can enjoy solo. Being alone might lead to boredom, but it helps protect your family from the virus. (You may want to consider relaxing the limits in your
family media plan for a day or so if your child needs a little entertainment.)
Are there other ways to prevent spreading norovirus to others?
There's no guarantee your child's illness won't sicken others. But there are simple steps you can take to protect family and friends. (We've added tips to help you avoid foodborne norovirus in the future.)
Wash your hands with soap & water
Washing your hands is the single most important thing you can do to help spread since Norovirus spreads easily from hand to hand. So while you're caring for your child, cleanse your hands often (and have family members do the same).
At least 20 seconds of scrubbing with warm-to-hot water and soap is the
best method. (Hand sanitizers can't kill norovirus, so go old-school methods of hand washing.)
Sanitize the kitchen & bathroom
Place every dish, glass, cup and utensil your child uses directly in a dishwasher or hand wash them right away. Cleanse cutting boards, counters and other kitchen surfaces with a mild bleach solution (about 5 to 25 tablespoons of bleach for every gallon of water). Wash down bathroom floors and other surfaces too. You can use an
EPA-approved disinfectant if you prefer to skip bleach. For extra protection, leave the solution on surfaces for 5 minutes to ensure virus particles are killed.
Wear rubber gloves while you're cleaning
Norovirus spreads via light switches, doorknobs, water taps, microwave controls and other surfaces. Keeping hands covered while you're disinfecting reduces the chance of cross-infection.
Wash clothes & linens from your child's room
Toss in anything that comes in contact with your child: sheets, towels, pajamas, underwear and rags used to clean up bathroom messes. Use hot water and detergent and choose the longest wash cycle, followed by the highest heat setting on your dryer.
Wash all fruits & vegetables
Norovirus also hangs out on fresh foods. So, it's wise to wash all fruits and veggies under running water, even if you plan to peel them. (Special soaps and rinses aren't needed.) Tough-skinned veggies like cucumbers can be scrubbed with a clean produce brush, which you can sanitize in the dishwasher later.
Cook shellfish thoroughly
Norovirus is often present in oysters, clams and other shellfish, so always cook them to an inside temperature of at least 145°F. An instant-read thermometer makes it easier to tell when you've reached the safety point.
When is it safe to send my child back to school or child care after having norovirus?
Your child is less likely to pass norovirus along to others when vomiting and diarrhea have been gone for at least 48 hours. Infants and children should stay away from child care centers until their stools can be contained in the diaper, or when toilet-trained children no longer have accidents using the toilet. In addition, children who get norovirus should not go back until they are passing no more than 2 stools above what they normally do while at child care or school, even if the stools remain loose.
You may want to check with child care or school staff, who may ask that your child stay home a little longer to protect everyone.
Can norovirus infect my child more than once?
Viruses are constantly
changing and adapting, so your child might get it again if they're exposed to a new strain. We hope the tips in this article will reduce the chances of that happening—and provide comfort for any family member who falls ill.
Remember
It can be hard to tell norovirus from other common illnesses. If you're worried about your child's symptoms and how to care for them, contact your pediatrician for support.
More information
About Dr. Doshi
Shreya Doshi, MBBS FAAP, is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Infectious Diseases and a Fellow in Pediatric Infectious Diseases at Children's National Hospital in Washington, DC. |