If you've been anywhere on social media in the last few weeks, you could be forgiven for thinking that Britain was in the grip of a shigella epidemic.

But this is not the case, with no official warnings being issued by the NHS or Public Health England.

This means that, if you have vomiting and diarrhoea, it's extremely unlikely that this is caused by shigellosis - which is good news.

The bad news is that it's more likely to be caused by the norovirus collection of viruses - also known as winter vomiting disease.

Here's everything you need to know:

What is Norovirus?



It is not a notifiable disease so reporting is done on a voluntary basis - making it difficult to confirm how common it actually is.

The number of cases fluctuates from year to year, but The Daily Post estimates that norovirus typically affects between 600,000 and 1,000,000 people in the UK each year.

What are the symptoms?

Painful cramps could be experienced
Painful cramps could be experienced

Both illnesses are decidedly unpleasant, and there are similarities.

Around 24 to 48 hours after becoming infected, the virus causes a sudden onset of nausea, projectile vomiting and watery diarrhoea.

Some people may also have a fever, painful cramps, headaches and aching limbs.

The disease is self-limiting and symptoms typically last for up to two or three days.

How does it spread?

Symptoms usually last around two to three days
Symptoms usually last around two to three days

Norovirus is highly contagious, spreading very easily in places where people are in close proximity, such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools.

You can catch it if small particles of vomit or faeces from an infected person get into your mouth, such as by inhalation, touching contaminated objects or surfaces, or eating contaminated food (if the person handling it doesn't wash their hands).


Unlike some other conditions, you can unfortunately get norovirus more than once because the virus is always changing, so your body is unable to build up long-term resistance to it.

When should I seek medical advice?

Going to your GP may not be the best idea
Going to your GP may not be the best idea

If you think you or your child may have norovirus, you should stay at home. There is no specific treatment for the bug, and by visiting your GP you could put others at risk.

You should, however, seek medical advice if the following is the case:

  • your child has passed six or more watery stools in the past 24 hours, or has vomited three times or more in that period of time
  • your child is less responsive, feverish, or has pale or mottled skin
  • you have bloody diarrhoea
  • your symptoms haven’t started to improve after a few days
  • you or your child have a serious underlying condition, such as kidney disease, and have diarrhoea and vomiting on top of this

Babies, young children and the elderly have a greater risk of becoming dehydrated.


Is there any treatment?

Make sure you drink more fluids than normal
Make sure you drink more fluids than normal

There is no cure for norovirus - you have to simply let it run its course.

But there are a few things you can do to ease the symptoms:

  • Drink plenty of fluids - more than usual - to avoid dehydration. Avoid giving fizzy drinks or fruit juice to children as it can make their diarrhoea worse. Babies should continue to feed as usual
  • Take paracetamol for any fever or aches and pains
  • Get plenty of rest and sleep as much as you can
  • Adults can take anti-diarrhoeal and/ or anti-emetic (anti-vomiting) medication

Can it be prevented?

Have minimal contact with others as you let the symptoms take their course

If you follow these simple steps, you can minimise the risk:

  • Disinfect any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated with a bleach-based household cleaner
  • Don’t share towels and flannels. Use gloves when handling soiled articles from ill people
