People have been warned to “stay home” by the NHS, as cases of an unpleasant illness peaked in the two weeks to December 8 – the most recent figures available. The number of cases of norovirus, also called the “winter vomiting bug”, have been high for many weeks now.
Earlier this month, NHS bosses confirmed thousands of adult hospital beds were “closed” due to diarrhoea and vomiting bugs, such as norovirus, and urged people not to visit medical settings if they experience these symptoms.
A new post from the official NHS X account on Friday reads: “Norovirus is a stomach bug that causes diarrhoea and vomiting. It can be very unpleasant, but usually goes away in about 2 days. If you catch it; stay home, rest and have plenty of fluids.”
Further advice in an accompanying link explains that the main symptoms are feeling sick, being sick, and diarrhoea. Sufferers, the NHS adds, may also have a high temperature, a headache, and aching arms and legs, and symptoms start suddenly within one to two days of being infected.
People are urged to stay off work or school until you have not been sick or experienced any diarrhoea for 48 hours – as prior to this is when you’re most infectious. People should also stay away from hospitals and care homes.
Washing your hands frequently with soap and water is the best way to stop it spreading. Alcohol hand gels do not kill norovirus. While the bug has some very unpleasant symptoms, it can usually be treated at home with rest and plenty of fluids.
You should call 111 if you’re worried about a baby aged under one, if your child stops breast or bottle feeding while they’re ill, if a child under five shows signs of dehydration, if you or your child still has signs of dehydration after using oral rehydration sachets, you or your child keep being sick and cannot keep fluid down, you or your child have bloody diarrhoea or bleeding from the bottom, and/or if you or your child have diarrhoea for more than seven days or vomiting for more than two days.