Norovirus hospitalisations are up 80% this year as NHS reveals common mistake people make when washing their hands which leaves them vulnerable to catching it
Norovirus infections are surging as the NHS has outlined the main ways you can catch it.
People hospitalised due to severe norovirus are up 80% in England compared to the same period last year. NHS England’s data suggests the vomiting bug is surging in the wider population while flu, coughs and colds are also circulating at historically high levels.
Experts have warned anyone who experiences any tummy bug symptoms to stay away from work or school. Speaking during a previous outbreak, one of the UK’s leading experts on infectious diseases revealed how norovirus is similar to Covid-19.
Prof Paul Hunter, of the University of East Anglia, said: “In many ways the epidemiology of Norovirus is similar to that of Covid-19. It is a human pathogen that spreads from one person to another either directly or indirectly. Mostly it is spread by the faecal oral route or via droplets. It can also be foodborne.
“Norovirus predominantly causes acute vomiting which lasts for about 24 to 72 hours. A proportion of infections are asymptomatic. Also like Covid it has a relatively short period of immunity, and reinfections do occur. It also has a number of different variants, though generally in any given year one variant tends to dominate.”
Norovirus can spread very easily and washing hands frequently with soap and water is the best way to stop it spreading.
Most people including children can be treated at home and it is important to rest and have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration. Patients will usually start to feel better in two to three days. In some very young and elderly people the condition can become serious and require hospitalisation.
The NHS website states the main ways of catching norovirus are:
- close contact with someone with norovirus
- touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them, then touching your mouth
- eating food that’s been prepared or handled by someone with norovirus
NHS England reiterated in a press release on Thursday that alcohol hand gels do not kill norovirus.
Dr Kathleen O’Reilly, co-director for the Centre for Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases, explained during a previous norovirus outbreak how to stay safe. Dr O’Reilly, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: “A typical case of norovirus results in vomiting and diarrhoea, which from personal experience is quite unpleasant, but passes in a couple of days. For people who are immunocompromised or elderly, symptoms may require further support such as hospitalisation.
“However, simple actions will go a long way to prevent norovirus. Washing hands with soap regularly, especially after using the bathroom and prior to meal preparation is really important. If people experience the classic symptoms of norovirus they should not return to work or send children to school until 48 hours have passed.”
