What’s the difference between norovirus, rotavirus & food poisoning?

We’re here to tell you everything you need to know, from symptoms to prevention tips

Norovirus (stomach bug), rotavirus (highly infectious stomach bug) and food poisoning (illness caused by eating contaminated food) can all share similar symptoms, which can make it harder to differentiate them from each other.

If you’re unsure whether your symptoms relate to norovirus, rotavirus or food poisoning, we’re here to help you get to grips with your symptoms and treatment options, as well as when to seek help. Get a brief overview by looking at our table below or read on for more information. 

What are the symptoms of norovirus, rotavirus & food poisoning?

Let’s start by giving you a quick recap of what norovirus, rotavirus and food poisoning are:

• Norovirus – a stomach bug, also known as the 'winter vomiting bug', causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It usually can be treated at home and can clear in around two days

• Rotavirus – a highly infectious stomach bug that causes vomiting, diarrhoea, tummy ache and a high temperature. It commonly affects young children and babies. Most children can recover at home. However, it can be serious so close monitoring of your child’s condition is necessary.  Rotavirus can clear within a week

• Food poisoning – an illness that’s caused by eating and drinking food or drink which is contaminated by germs or toxins

Take a look at the symptoms of each below:

Norovirus:

Symptoms of norovirus can start suddenly, usually within one to two days of being infected and include:

• Feeling sick (nausea) or actually being sick (vomiting)

• Diarrhoea

Other symptoms of norovirus can include a high temperature, headache or aching arms and legs.

Rotavirus:

Symptoms of rotavirus include:

• Diarrhoea

• Being sick (vomiting)

• Tummy ache

• A high temperature

Food poisoning:

Symptoms of food poisoning usually start within a few days of eating the food that caused the infection and include:

• Feeling sick (nausea) or actually being sick (vomiting)

• Diarrhoea

• Stomach cramps

• A high temperature (38C or above)

• Feeling generally unwell (you might feel tired, experience aches or chills)

Although symptoms of food poisoning usually start within a few days, they can also start after a few hours or not for a few weeks.

Treating norovirus, rotavirus & food poisoning

Usually, you’ll be able to treat the symptoms of norovirus, rotavirus and food poisoning at home. The duration that your symptoms last will vary depending on which of the three illnesses you have but you can refer to the table above as a guide.

As there is no specific cure for each illness, the main aim is to focus on managing your symptoms.  To help, you can:

• Get plenty of rest

• Drink lots of fluids. This will help you avoid dehydration. For support and advice with this, read our tips to drink more water

• Take paracetamol (only if it’s suitable) if you or your child has a fever, aches or pains. Always make sure to read the patient information leaflet

• Consider taking oral rehydration salts if you or your child is showing signs of dehydration. These should be available to purchase from your local pharmacy. If your baby or child is showing signs of dehydration speak to your GP as soon as possible

All three illnesses can cause diarrhoea and vomiting. If you, or your child is experiencing this, you should remain off from school, nursery or work until you haven’t been sick or had diarrhoea for 48 hours. This is because you are most infectious during this time. It’s recommended that you stay at home and get plenty of rest to minimise the risk of spreading your infection to others.  

Although all three illnesses can be treated at home, there are cases where each illness can be serious, meaning some babies or children may need hospital treatment. If you or your child’s symptoms aren’t subsiding or if they’re showing signs of severe symptoms or you’re concerned, consult your GP.

Incubation periods

If you want to find out how long it’ll take you to start having symptoms after contact with norovirus, rotavirus or food poisoning, you’ll need to know their incubation period. You’ll find this information in our chart above. Alternatively, here’s a recap below:

The incubation period for:

• Norovirus – 12 to 48 hours

• Rotavirus – about two days

• Food poisoning – usually within a few days of eating the food that caused the infection. However, it can be a few hours or a few weeks

How can I prevent norovirus, rotavirus & food poisoning?

Maintaining excellent hygiene is important to help prevent all three illnesses. However, the vaccination is the best way to help protect against rotavirus, which we’ll discuss later. You want to make sure you’re washing your hands with soap and warm water regularly throughout the day.

As well as personal hygiene, you should also maintain the cleanliness of your surroundings too, making sure surfaces, toilet seats, flush handles, basins, taps and other high touchpoint areas around your home are cleaned and disinfected.

Although frequent handwashing with soap and water is essential, it’s important to note that norovirus cannot be killed by hand gels that contain alcohol.

If you’re experiencing any of the three illnesses discussed throughout this article, you should remain at home and get plenty of rest. Avoid close contact with others, particularly high-risk people like the elderly and young children to prevent the risk of spreading the virus to them. You want to make sure you haven’t been sick or had diarrhoea for 48 hours before you come into contact with others.

For all three illnesses, there are some extra prevention tips to consider:

• Use your own towel and flannel in your household. Sharing these items can increase your risk of spreading

• Wash your (or the infected persons) laundry on the hottest washing machine setting

• Don’t prepare or share food with others

• Wash hands thoroughly after going to the toilet using soap and water, making sure to completely dry them afterwards

• If any bedding or clothing become soiled, you should firstly remove any diarrhoea into the toilet. After, wash the bedding in a separate wash from your other laundry on the highest temperature possible

The rotavirus vaccine

Unlike for norovirus and food poisoning, there’s a vaccine to help protect babies against rotavirus. The rotavirus vaccine, offered routinely on the NHS as part of the childhood vaccination programme for babies, plays an integral role in prevention from the virus.

The vaccine is very effective and contains a weakened version of rotavirus. It works by building up your baby’s immunity, so if they do come into contact with rotavirus, their risk of getting the infection is decreased.

Two rotavirus vaccines are required at least four weeks apart to ensure your baby is fully protected. Usually the first dose is given at eight weeks, and the second dose at 12 weeks. Here’s what you need to know:

• If your baby misses the first dose, they can have it at up to 15 weeks

• If your baby misses the second dose, they can have it up to 24 weeks

• You don’t need to book an appointment for your babies’ vaccination. You’ll usually be contacted by your child’s GP practice

What are the complications of norovirus, rotavirus & food poisoning?

The complications related to norovirus, rotavirus and food poisoning are uncommon. However, if you have an underlying health condition, such as diabetes or you have a weakened immune system and develop any of the three conditions, consider talking to your GP as you may be at an increased risk of complications.

As vomiting and diarrhoea are a common symptom of all three illnesses, there is an increased risk of dehydration (especially in babies, children and older adults). Dehydration can occur when your body loses more fluids than you take in. Without the right treatment, symptoms can develop into something more serious so it’s important to be aware of the symptoms.

Here are the signs of dehydration in adults and children to look out for:

• Feeling thirsty, tired, dizzy or lightheaded

• Dark yellow wee that has a strong smell

• Weeing less often than usual

• A dry mouth, lips and tongue

• Sunken eyes

Here are the signs of dehydration in a baby to look out for:

• A sunken soft spot (fontanelle) on top of their head

• Sunken eyes

• Being drowsy or irritable

• Few or no tears when they cry

• Noticeably fewer wet nappies

If you or your child has symptoms of dehydration, drinking plenty of fluids is essential to replenish the fluids that your body has lost. Understandably, it can be difficult to rehydrate if you're being sick so start with small sips of water and gradually work your way up.

You can also turn to your local pharmacy team for help treating dehydration. It’s likely they’ll recommend appropriate oral rehydration solutions which are often sachets of powder that you mix with water before drinking.

Other possible complications for all three illnesses include:

• Persistent diarrhoea syndromes may develop, including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and lactose intolerance

• Reduced effectiveness of some medicines

If you need further advice and support to help treat complications, speak to your GP or pharmacy team. It’s recommended that you ring before attending an in-person appointment as you risk spreading the infection to others.

When should I see a GP about norovirus, rotavirus & food poisoning?

The majority of people who experience norovirus, rotavirus or food poisoning won’t require medical treatment. Usually, you’ll need to let the symptoms run their course, making sure you’re staying at home, getting plenty of rest and drinking lots of fluids. However, in certain cases, you’ll need to seek medical advice.

If you have norovirus, you should speak to your GP or get advice from 111 if:

• Your symptoms don’t improve after a few days

• You or your child have blood in your poo or are bleeding from the bottom

• You or your child show signs of severe dehydration, including passing urine less often than usual

• Your child under five years is showing signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet nappies

• You or your child can’t keep fluids down and keep being sick

• You or your child have diarrhoea for more than seven days

• You or your child are vomiting for more than two days

• You’re worried about your baby who’s under 12 months

• Your child stops breast or bottle feeding

If your child has rotavirus, you should speak to your GP or get advice from 111 if:

• Your child is under the age of six months old

• You notice blood in their poo or vomit

• You suspect your child is developing signs of dehydration

• Your child’s symptoms aren’t improving or you feel their condition is getting worse. For example, they may be vomiting excessively and unable to keep fluids down

• Your child has a high temperature (fever)

• Your child has a weakened immune system

• Your child has severe symptoms

If you have food poisoning, you should speak to your GP or get advice from 111 if:

• You have severe symptoms or notice your symptoms haven’t improved after a few days

• You’re unable to keep fluids down because you’re vomiting excessively

• You start to show signs of severe dehydration

• You’re pregnant

• You’re over 60

• You suspect your baby or young child has food poisoning

For all of the above illnesses, you’ll also need to see your GP if you have any underlying health conditions and are concerned about your symptoms. It’s also recommended that you speak to your GP if you have a weakened immune system, for example, this might be because you have other health conditions, been through cancer treatment or take certain medications and are worried about your symptoms.

Products you may find helpful

Whether you’re looking for a convenient treatment to help you rehydrate or some hand wash staples that’ll ensure you’re putting your hygiene first, the following products are ones you may find helpful: