How long does a stomach virus last?
Last updated September 3, 2026.
Most stomach viruses clear in 1 to 3 days - norovirus typically 12 to 60 hours - though some linger up to a week, with diarrhea trailing the vomiting. No medicine kills the virus; the whole job is avoiding dehydration: constant small sips, oral rehydration solution when losses are heavy, bland food as appetite returns. Skip anti-diarrhea drugs with bloody stool or high fever. You are contagious while sick and for a couple of days after - soap and water beats hand sanitizer against norovirus, and do not cook for others. Get help for dehydration signs (very little urine, dizziness on standing), blood in vomit or stool, severe pain, high fever, or diarrhea past three days. Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text, and can help you track the course.
What to do
- Sip constantly, small amounts: rehydration solution when vomiting or diarrhea is heavy.
- Wash hands with soap, not just sanitizer: norovirus shrugs off sanitizer.
- Stay out of the kitchen for others: while sick and for about two days after.
- Get seen for the wall signs: dehydration, blood, severe pain, high fever, or day three of diarrhea.
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