Nausea treatment

When a sick person suffers from nausea and vomits as part of a norovirus infection, this is a mechanism by which the body wants to get rid of the viruses. However, since the disease process in a norovirus infection takes place mainly in the intestine and less in the stomach, there is little reason not to combat this mechanism. Particularly when vomiting is rampant and the person affected can practically no longer “keep food or liquid inside”, measures should be taken to relieve the nausea and vomiting.

Otherwise, a pronounced fluid and electrolyte deficiency can quickly develop, which can be dangerous, especially for children and the elderly. Suitable active ingredients for the treatment of nausea and vomiting include dimenhydrinate (e.g. Vomex®), meclozine or promethazine. In the case of a norovirus infection, it is better to avoid the equally common drug MCP (metoclopramide), as it accelerates intestinal passage and can thus exacerbate diarrhea.

If possible, you should consult a doctor before using any of the above-mentioned drugs in the case of a norovirus infection.Based on his experience, he can decide whether it is advisable to use the active ingredients in your home or whether fluid and electrolyte balancing and the use of household remedies are sufficient. Home remedies that have proven to be effective against nausea and vomiting include above all food that is easy on the stomach, such as mashed potatoes, banana porridge or rusks. You can find them here: Medicines against vomiting

Treatment of diarrhea

Just like vomiting, diarrhea is a way for the body to try to get rid of the pathogen that causes norovirus infection. Compared to vomiting, however, diarrhoea is much more effective: It starts at the actual location of the event (in the intestine and not in the stomach) and leads to an accelerated excretion of the viruses. For this reason, the intake of diarrhea medication should be treated with appropriate restraint.

In case of doubt, consult your family doctor, who can determine the extent of the disease in your case and weigh up whether a medicinal treatment of diarrhoea is appropriate for you. If this is the case, loperamide and medicinal charcoal tablets are among the most common medications. If your doctor advises you to treat your diarrhoea with caution, you should eat a diet that is easy on the stomach, such as rusks or banana porridge. The latter has the advantage that it not only contains a lot of potassium, but also swells in the intestine and thus binds excess water.