How to know if you have norovirus and five myths about the bug debunked

When norovirus comes knocking, no one is safe. The highly contagious bug affects people of all ages and is so infectious that it impacts nearly four million people in the UK every year.

The latest UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data shows norovirus cases continue to rise across the country, with laboratory reports at the highest levels since reporting data this way began in 2014.

Laboratory confirmed cases in the two weeks from 3 to 16 February 2025 were 29.4% higher than the previous fortnight and more than double the five-season average (168.0%) for the same two-week period.

Despite cases being so prevalent this winter there is still a lot of confusion surrounding the common illness. From differentiating symptoms from food poisoning to understanding how to help stop the spread, here's everything you need to know about about norovirus including some common myths debunked.

How do I know if I've got norovirus?

Symptoms of norovirus can include nausea, projectile vomiting and diarrhoea, as well as a high temperature and stomach cramping. Symptoms usually come on suddenly, usually beginning one or two days after infection occurs.

These can sometimes be confused for food poisoning or rotavirus. There are a few key differences between the three ailments, such as the time it takes for symptoms to occur and who it affects.

Food poisoning, caused by eating or drinking food or drink contaminated by germs or toxins, usually affects a person within a few hours or days. It usually lasts a few days to a week, but can last up to 10 days.

Rotavirus is another highly infectious stomach bug, but it most commonly affects young children and babies. Most patients can recover at home, but it can become serious so it is important to monitor the child's condition. They will usually recover within a week.

There are no specific treatments for norovirus and most people who catch it get better within one to three days. The best - and only - thing you can do if you have norovirus is manage the symptoms and let it run its course.

However, there may be some hope on the horizon as the NHS is set to run a trial for a world-first norovirus vaccine, which will take place over approximately two years. It is hoped that the mRNA vaccine will protect against three major strains of norovirus.

But until it is approved for the general public, we must manage the bug to the best of our abilities and avoid spreading it wherever possible. There are several myths about norovirus that may contribute to its spread, so it’s important to know the truth behind them.

We’ve busted five major myths about norovirus, with expert tips on the prevention methods that actually work:

🧼 Myth: You can't get norovirus if you've just had it

Reality: Even if you’ve already had norovirus recently, you’re not out of the woods because at any given time multiple genotypes of norovirus are circulating. This means you can be infected by one and you will have limited immunity if you are then exposed to a different one soon after.

Amy Douglas, lead epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: "With multiple genotypes spreading at the same time, people could end up getting infected more than once this season."

What actually works? Douglas urged people to take precautions to try to reduce the spread of the virus or contracting it again. "Just because you've had norovirus doesn't mean you won't get it again," she said. "It's really important that if you have diarrhoea and vomiting, you take steps to avoid passing the infection on, including not visiting people in hospitals and care homes."

The UKHSA is also advising if you've been ill with norovirus you don't return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped and don’t prepare food for others, as you can still pass on the virus during this time.

🧼 Myth: Hand sanitiser kills norovirus

Reality: Although alcohol and antibacterial hand sanitisers are popular among people who want to avoid getting ill, they do not protect against norovirus and will not stop the spread of this nasty bug.

What actually works?

The NHS says that handwashing is the best way to protect yourself against norovirus. Regularly wash your hands with soap and warm water, especially after using the toilet, and before eating or preparing food.

💊 Myth: Antibiotics treat norovirus

Reality: Norovirus cannot be treated with antibiotics because antibiotics work to fight bacteria, not viruses.

What actually works?

There is no treatment or cure for norovirus. It’s best to let the virus run its course, which usually means undergoing symptoms for one to three days. You should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration from vomiting and diarrhoea, and stay at home to avoid spreading it to others.

🍳 Myth: Norovirus is the same as food poisoning

Reality: While norovirus and food poisoning share similar symptoms, they are not the same thing. Food poisoning comes from contaminated food or drinks, and is not contagious, while norovirus is a viral infection and highly contagious. That being said, a person who is sick with norovirus can spread it if they touch food with their bare hands or prepare the food while contagious.

What actually works?

If a person is infected with norovirus, they should avoid cooking and helping to prepare meals for others until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped. Healthy people should also avoid sharing utensils with anyone who is sick.

🤢 Myth: You can't spread norovirus without symptoms

Reality: According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the incubation period of norovirus is 12 to 48 hours, which is the time between catching it to developing symptoms. Individuals are at their most infectious when they have symptoms - but you can still contaminate surfaces, objects or food both before developing symptoms and after symptoms have stopped.

What actually works?

You should stay at home while you have symptoms of norovirus, and for 48 hours after symptoms have stopped. Do not return to work or send children who have been ill to school after symptoms have stopped, and do not visit your GP or hospital while symptomatic to avoid spreading it and causing an outbreak.

How can I avoid norovirus?

You may not always be able to avoid getting norovirus, but you can limit the spread by practising good hygiene.

NHS Choices recommend:

• Washing your hands frequently with soap and water

• Not sharing towels and flannels

• Disinfecting surfaces or objects that could be contaminated with a bleach-based household cleaner

• Wash clothing or bedding that could be contaminated separately and on a hot wash

• Avoid eating raw, unwashed produce

Additional reporting by PA

Read more about staying healthy:

• How to treat back-to-school bugs (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)

• An expert guide to avoiding illness in the colder months (Cover, 2-min read)

• People with norovirus in London hospitals up by nearly 90% in a fortnight according to new figures (The Standard, 2-min read)