There are health mistakes which you can make over the condition and an expert has given tips on what you should and shouldn’t do
The risk of contracting the winter vomiting bug are increased by six health mistakes, according to an expert.
It is a highly contagious and increasing in the UK with 29% more Norovirus infections in the last month. You are likely to have norovirus if you experience suddenly feeling sick, have projectile vomiting or have watery diarrhoea. Others have headaches and painful stomach cramps and aching limbs. These signs appear one to two days after you become infected and last for up to 2 or 3 days. Savneesh Bhogal, a healthcare expert at Virtual College by Netex has given the best ways to treat the bug and common errors to avoid,
1. Take ibuprofen not paracetamol
Savneesh said: “There is no treatment for norovirus so you have to let it run its course. However, you can take over the counter medication, to help relieve some of the symptoms associated with the illness. For norovirus, paracetamol is the best method as it will help to relieve aches and pains, including headaches and stomach ache, as well as helping to keep a temperature down. Avoid taking ibuprofen, as this shouldn’t be taken on an empty stomach – and you may not feel like eating.
2. Stay hydrated
Savneesh says you should remember to drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. She added: “While some often think fizzy drinks or coca cola are good for sickness bugs, we recommend avoiding these as they can actually make diarrhoea worse. You can take special rehydration drinks which are available from pharmacies if you have signs of dehydration such as a dry mouth or dark urine.”
3. Eat plain foods
Eating plain food will also help you recover and will be best for you stomach. The health expert said: “Just like it’s best to stick to plain drinks, eating plain foods will be best on your stomach while you recover. Make sure you ease back into eating, to avoid further upsetting your stomach and avoid spicy foods and dairy, as these will further aggravate your stomach. Instead, stick to soup, rice, pasta or bread if you feel like eating.”
4. Stay on top of cleaning
Because Norovirus is hugely contagious ensure you are cleaning properly to avoid the virus spreading. Savneesh added: “Stay off work and school until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have stopped and wash your hands frequently with soap and water. Stay on top of dissecting any surfaces around your home and make sure to wash clothing, bedding and towels on a hot wash to kill the virus.”
5. Take vitamins
Savneesh recommended vitamins A, C, E and zinc to boost your immune after an infection or illness. but she warned some supplements aren’t designed to be taken together. She said: “Don’t take large doses of calcium and magnesium at the same time, as they compete for absorption when taken in large doses. Similarly, space Vitamin C and vitamin B12 at least two hours apart as high doses of vitamin C can decrease the absorption and metabolism of vitamin B12. Supplements that aren’t designed to be taken together can be taken at the same time, they just need to be spaced out throughout the day. For example, spacing them out throughout the day or morning or evening.
6. Keep a varied diet
Once you’ve recovered, Savnessh recommends eating a varied and healthy diet, to support the absorption of key vitamins over the winter months. She said “To help the absorption of key supplements in the winter such as vitamin D, make sure to maintain a balanced diet with plenty of natural fats such as avocados, nuts, seeds, full fat dairy products and eggs. These nutritious sources of fat will help to boost your vitamin D absorption and help to keep you healthy over the winter months.”