Winter vomiting bug: how do I care for my child and stop it spreading?
The winter vomiting bug is caused by calicivirus, most often norovirus. It spreads very easily and is most common between November and April (1177). Most children get better within one to three days and can be cared for at home with rest and small amounts to drink, often (1177). Wash hands with soap and water: hand sanitiser is not enough to stop it (1177, Folkhälsomyndigheten). A school child should stay home for at least one day after they are well, and should have the energy for a full school day (1177).
| Question | What applies | Source |
|---|---|---|
| How soon after being infected does it start? | Usually 12–48 hours | 1177, Folkhälsomyndigheten |
| How long does it last? | Most people get better within one to three days | 1177, NHS |
| What should my child drink? | A little at a time, but more than usual. Oral rehydration solution from the pharmacy helps with a lot of vomiting or heavy diarrhoea | 1177 |
| Does hand sanitiser work? | No, it is not enough. Wash hands with soap and water | 1177, Folkhälsomyndigheten, NHS |
| When can my child go back to school? | At least one day after they are well, and they should manage a full day. The NHS in the UK advises 2 days without vomiting or diarrhoea | 1177, NHS |
| Do healthy siblings need to stay home? | No, but they should wash their hands carefully and come home straight away if they get symptoms | 1177 |
| Can my child get it again? | Yes. Protection after an infection is short-lived, so you can get ill several times in one winter | 1177, Folkhälsomyndigheten |
What it is and how it spreads
The winter vomiting bug is caused by calicivirus. There are two types, norovirus and sapovirus, and norovirus is the more common one. Symptoms often start suddenly: nausea, vomiting, stomach ache, diarrhoea, aches, fever and headache (1177). It is the most common stomach bug in Sweden, and most people fall ill between January and March, although you can get it all year round (1177).
- Very contagious: there are huge amounts of virus in stools, and vomit is contagious too. The virus can spread through tiny particles in the air when someone vomits or flushes the toilet, and through surfaces (Folkhälsomyndigheten).
- Food and water: it also spreads through food handled by someone who is ill, and through water or uncooked food rinsed in contaminated water, such as frozen berries. The Swedish Food Agency advises boiling frozen imported raspberries before eating them. The virus is destroyed above 70 °C, but not by freezing (1177).
- After recovery: people are most contagious while they have symptoms, but can still be contagious after they feel better (Folkhälsomyndigheten). There is no vaccine (Folkhälsomyndigheten).
Caring for your child at home
- Rest and fluids: your child needs to drink more than usual, especially with a fever. Give a little at a time, using a spoon if it is hard to keep anything down (1177).
- Lots of vomiting: 1177 advises about two teaspoons (roughly 10 ml) of fluid every five minutes for children who vomit a lot.
- Oral rehydration solution: best if your child vomits a lot or has heavy diarrhoea. You can buy it at a pharmacy. If your child refuses it, try flavouring it with a little juice or concentrated squash (1177).
- Other drinks: older children are less sensitive to dehydration than younger ones, so you can give an older child what they want to drink (1177). The NHS advises against fruit juice and fizzy drinks, as they can make diarrhoea worse.
- Food: try ordinary food in small portions once your child feels better (1177).
- Medicines: paracetamol can ease discomfort; check the leaflet first. Do not give medicine to stop diarrhoea to children under 12, and do not give aspirin to children under 16 (NHS).
- Sore bottom: wash or shower instead of wiping with paper, pat dry gently and use a greasy cream (1177).
Watch for signs of dehydration
Losing fluid through vomiting and diarrhoea can lead to dehydration. Signs in children include (1177):
- being tired, listless or low on energy
- being more thirsty than usual, or sometimes not thirsty at all
- peeing less, and dark, strong-smelling urine
- dry lips, headache, or not wanting to eat
- grey or pale skin, dark rings under the eyes or sunken eyes.
Children with a long-term illness, such as type 1 diabetes or a kidney or heart condition, are more sensitive to dehydration (1177).
Stopping it spreading at home
- Soap and water: everyone should wash their hands carefully after the toilet, before meals and after touching things that may have virus on them (1177, Folkhälsomyndigheten).
- Own towel: use liquid soap and dry hands on your own towel or on paper towels (1177).
- Kitchen: anyone who is vomiting or has diarrhoea should not cook for others (1177, Folkhälsomyndigheten).
- Laundry: wash clothes and bedding with vomit or poo on them at 60 °C, separately from other laundry (NHS).
- Cleaning: clean toilet seats, flush handles, taps and bathroom door handles (NHS).
Going back to school
Make sure your child is fully well first. School children should stay home for at least one day after they are well, and should have the energy to be in a group all day and join in the usual activities (1177). Folkhälsomyndigheten says recovery usually takes at least a couple of days after the last day of symptoms, and the NHS in the UK advises staying away until there has been no vomiting or diarrhoea for 2 days. How long a child should stay home depends on age and maturity: the risk of spreading it falls when a child can go to the toilet and wash their hands by themselves (1177). Healthy brothers and sisters can go to school as usual (1177). For other common illnesses, see our guide Is my child too ill for school?
Try this week
- Check the bathroom cupboard now: buy oral rehydration solution at the pharmacy so you have it before the season peaks.
- Practise handwashing with soap and water after the toilet and before meals, and remind everyone that hand sanitiser is not enough for this virus.
- Give each family member their own hand towel, or put out paper towels, during the winter months.
When to get help
Most children with the winter vomiting bug do not need care. Call 1177 for medical advice, or your health centre, if your child is very tired and weak, has vomited for more than a day without it easing, has had diarrhoea for more than a week, has a long-term illness and takes regular medicine, or shows signs of dehydration (1177). Contact a health centre or out-of-hours clinic straight away if your child has bloody diarrhoea, a high fever with chills, severe stomach pain that does not go away, or signs of severe dehydration. If they are closed, go to an emergency department (1177). Always call before you go, because the virus is very contagious (1177). If your child is hard to wake, confused or not responding as usual, has difficulty breathing, or vomits blood or green vomit, call 112 (NHS). See also when to seek care for your child.
This guide is general information, not medical advice for your child.