Norovirus cases have soared in England with hospitals treating record numbers of patients with the sickness bug
Hospitals in England are dealing with a record outbreak of norovirus. NHS figures show last week there were an average of 1,160 patients in hospital with the highly contagious sickness bug.
This marks a worrying increase from 948 the previous week and is a staggering more than double the 509 cases recorded in the same period last year. Health experts have urged people to adopt measures to protect themselves and other from the virus.
The increase had been predicted for some time. Last year it was warned that winter bugs could reach unprecedented levels.
Speaking then on ITV’s Lorraine, Dr Amir Khan, a full-time GP, cautioned: “It’s caused by contaminated surfaces or getting too close to people who are infected. You are contagious two days before and two days after your symptoms so you’ve got to stay off work for two days after your symptoms.”, reports Surrey Live.
Highlighting the common signs of infection – nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and stomach cramps – Dr Khan offered crucial advice to prevent further transmission. “Wash your hands regularly, so simple! ” he insisted, stressing the importance of using soap and warm water over hand sanitiser for effective cleaning.
He also recommended disinfecting areas frequently touched, including toilet facilities, with a potent cleaner. His final piece of advice for those struck down by norovirus was clear: avoid preparing food for others to minimise spreading the bug.
Dr Khan added: “People often ask me ‘if I’ve had norovirus once, can I get it again? ‘ Yes, norovirus is a group of viruses, if you’ve had one version of it you can get another one – so keep washing your hands! “
In light of recent statistics, Amy Douglas, Lead Epidemiologist at UKHSA, cautioned: “Norovirus cases are still exceptionally high and continue to rise, though we are hopeful that the school half term provides a break. It remains important to take steps to avoid passing on the infection.”
Addressing its prevalence in sensitive locations, she added: “Norovirus remains high in other settings like hospitals and care homes too, and can be more severe in older adults, younger children and those who are immunocompromised. Please do not visit hospitals and care homes or return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped and don’t prepare food for others as you can still pass on the virus.”
And finally, she instilled an important reminder: “Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus. Wash your hands with soapy warm water and clean surfaces with bleach-based products where possible to help stop infections from spreading.”
Symptoms of norovirus
According to the NHS although norovirus is sometimes called the winter vomiting bug, you can get it at any time of year. It says the main symptoms usually start suddenly and may include:
- feeling sick
- being sick (vomiting)
- diarrhoea
You may also have:
- a high temperature
- a headache
- tummy pain
- body aches and pains
How to treat norovirus yourself
If you or your child have norovirus, you can usually treat it at home. You’ll usually start to feel better in two to three days.
Diarrhoea and vomiting can usually be treated at home. The most important thing is to have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Do
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stay at home and get plenty of rest
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drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash – take small sips if you feel sick
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carry on breast or bottle feeding your baby – if they’re being sick, try giving small feeds more often than usual
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give babies on formula or solid foods small sips of water between feeds
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eat when you feel able to – it may help to avoid foods that are fatty or spicy
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take paracetamol if you’re in discomfort – check the leaflet before giving it to your child
Don’t
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do not have fruit juice or fizzy drinks – they can make diarrhoea worse
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do not make baby formula weaker – use it at its usual strength
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do not give children under 12 medicine to stop diarrhoea
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do not give aspirin to children under 16
When to seek medical help
Call 111 now if:
- you’re worried about a baby under 12 months
- your child stops breast or bottle feeding while they’re ill
- a child under 5 years has signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet nappies
- you or your child (aged 5 years or over) still have 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
- you or your child have diarrhoea for more than 7 days or vomiting for more than 2 days
111 will tell you what to do. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one.
Call 999 or go to A&E if you or your child:
- vomit blood or have vomit that looks like ground coffee
- have green vomit (adults)
- have yellow-green or green vomit (children)
- may have swallowed something poisonous
- have a stiff neck and pain when looking at bright lights
- have a sudden, severe headache
- have a sudden, severe tummy ache
- have blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet
- are having severe difficulty breathing, or taking lots of quick, short breaths
- are confused or not responding as usual
