Norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug, is once again rampant in the UK, with hospitals reporting record numbers last week.
NHS England data reveals that an average of 1,160 patients a day were hospitalised with the virus in mid-February – a 22% increase on the previous week (948) and more than double the same period last year (509).
Now, GP Dr Amir Khan has taken to TikTok to share five ways to help prevent its spread – and how to avoid catching it yourself. The stomach bug, which causes vomiting and diarrhoea, can be extremely unpleasant for sufferers, but usually improves after around 48 hours.
Dr Khan, who is well-known for his appearances on ITV daytime shows including Lorraine, has some crucial advice. “We’re seeing really high numbers right now,” he warned. “For most people it’s an unpleasant and minor illness where they get over it in two to five days, but for small children and older adults they can have a severe illness, risk dehydration and hospitalisation.”
Dr Khan also cautioned: “If you have the virus, your body can shed billions of tiny viral particles that can make other people sick – and it only takes a few particles to make someone else ill.”
So what preventative measures can we take? The most important is to wash our hands with soap and water – but not hand sanitiser, according to the doctor. “Alcohol gel does not get rid of the virus – it has to be soap and water and make sure you do it properly,” he said.
Dr Khan has also recommended washing food, especially fruits and vegetables, before consumption. He further advised: “If you’re cooking meat or fish, make sure you’ve cooked it all the way through before you eat them.”
And while some of his advice may seem straightforward, he emphasised: “Avoid contact with other people who have the virus because they can pass it on to you, and clean and sanitise your communal objects – things like tables, door handles light switches or other things people touch a lot.” Dr Khan concluded: “Make sure you clean them regularly and that will reduce your risk of getting norovirus.”
One follower responded: “Thank you Amir, very helpful information, well said,” Another shared: “Yes my 21-year old son had this! He was off work for a week and was horrible to watch him with sickness and diarrhoea.”
A third user warned: “I’ve got the runs, feel sick but not been sick and my belly hurts and I feel like I’ve had a drink. I feel like I could collapse at times.” Whilst a fourth person recalled: “I had it in December for about 10 days, horrible! I didn’t pass it on to my husband, had separate towels as well.”
The NHS‘ advice on norovirus can be found here.