The NHS has issued advice on how to protect yourself from a severe winter bug that’s spreading rapidly through hospitals “like wildfire”. A surge in norovirus cases is being reported across England, with some hospitals even having to close wards as a result.
According to the most recent data, there were 961 patients per day hospitalised with norovirus last week in England. This represents a seven percent increase from the previous week and a staggering 69 percent rise compared to the same period last year, when there were 570 cases for the week ending February 4.
The health service has described it as the “busiest week for hospitals this winter” due to the spike in norovirus cases. “There were more patients in hospitals last week than at any other point so far this winter, as the number of norovirus cases in hospital continued to rise,” it stated.
Three wards at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, London, have been shut down due to an outbreak of the dreaded vomiting bug, in an effort to minimise the risk of further spread and protect new patients from exposure to the virus. Professor Arlene Wellman, group chief nurse for St George’s Hospital, warned: “Once norovirus enters a hospital, it can rip through our wards like wildfire, making patients even sicker.”
Norovirus is highly contagious and spreads through faeces, meaning it can be easily transmitted if someone fails to wash their hands thoroughly after using the bathroom. Therefore, the NHS advised the following steps to avoid becoming infected:
- Wash your hands with soap and water after going to the toilet or changing nappies (alcohol hand gels do not kill norovirus)
- Wash your hands with soap and water before preparing, serving or eating food
- Avoid contact with others as much as possible.
Further to this, clothes and bedding contaminated with faeces or vomit should be washed at 60C separately from other laundry, and surfaces such as toilet seats, flush handles, taps and bathroom door handles should be cleaned regularly. The main symptoms of norovirus can appear suddenly and include feeling nauseous, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
Other symptoms may include a high temperature, headache, stomach pain, and body aches. If you experience any of these symptoms, the NHS advises staying away from school, nursery or work until you have been symptom-free for two days, and avoiding hospitals and care homes for the same period.
Symptoms usually improve within two to three days. The NHS emphasises the importance of staying hydrated to prevent dehydration. If you or your child experiences diarrhoea for more than seven days or vomiting for more than two days, you should call 111.