Health Advice

Latest from blog

Head Lice – Help!!!

Every parent’s heart sinks when they receive the dreaded note from school warning about head lice. Don’t worry – Jane Brennan from Brennan’s Life Pharmacy in Donabate is here to to give us advice and tips. The first thing to do is to check the child’s head. You will need some tea tree conditioner, a... Read more >

Read more

Are You SunSmart?

We ask Jane Brennan from Brennan’s Life Pharmacy Donabate how to make the most of great sunny summer days whilst protecting our skin from harmful rays. Jane says “The Irish Cancer Society SunSmart program has great guidelines to keep us safe. See below for some useful tips and advice” Ways to protect your skin: Shade... Read more >

Read more

Pollen Highs & Watery Eyes

Pollen Highs & Watery Eyes… Talk to Jane Brennan, your Hay Fever Expert in Donabate Are your eyes itchy, red or watery? Is your throat scratchy? Are you sneezing? Do you have itchy ears, nose or mouth? Do you have a blocked or runny nose? Do you wake up feeling exhausted? Hay fever can cause... Read more >

Read more

Life Pharmacy Ireland – Live Better

Bringing you the best health advice for your family

NHS Choices - Symptoms of norovirus

(11/03/2015)

The first sign of norovirus is usually suddenly feeling sick followed by forceful vomiting and watery diarrhoea.

Some people may also have:

  • a raised temperature (over 38°C/100.4°F)
  • headaches 
  • painful stomach cramps
  • aching limbs

Symptoms usually appear one to two days after you become infected, but they can start sooner. Most people make a full recovery within a couple of days.

Apart from the risk of dehydration, norovirus isn't usually dangerous and there are no long-lasting effects from having the illness. However, it can be pretty unpleasant while you have it.

Dehydration

The main risk from norovirus is dehydration from your body losing water and salts from vomiting and diarrhoea.

Thirst is the first sign of dehydration. Other symptoms include:

  • dizziness or lightheadedness
  • headache
  • tiredness
  • dry mouth, lips and eyes
  • dark, concentrated urine
  • only passing small amounts of urine (less than three to four times a day)

Mild dehydration is common and can easily be reversed by making sure you have plenty to drink.

The young and elderly are more at risk of becoming dehydrated. It's therefore very important that you seek medical attention immediately if you think your child or an elderly relative is becoming dehydrated.

Severe dehydration

If you don't replace the lost fluid, dehydration will get worse and could lead to complications, such as low blood pressure and kidney failure. It can even be fatal.

As well as severe thirst, you may also have:

  • dry, wrinkled skin
  • an inability to urinate
  • irritability
  • sunken eyes
  • a weak pulse
  • a rapid heartbeat
  • cold hands and feet
  • seizures

If you or your child has any symptoms of severe dehydration after catching a norovirus infection, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Read more about treating norovirus.