Government health bosses have issued a warning
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is urging people with any of three specific symptoms to stay home for 48 hours. The health body said on Thursday that “norovirus, also known as the ‘winter vomiting bug’, continues to spread at high levels.”
The virus can present some grim symptoms, and can be potentially dangerous for babies, older people and those with existing health problems. In a new update on X, formerly Twitter, the UKHSA is urging people to take steps to prevent the spread.
People who feel sick, have diarrhoea, and/or are vomiting, are urged to stay at home for 48 hours after their symptoms clear. People, it said, may also experience headaches, fever, and/or aching arms or legs.
If you’re feeling unwell you should also wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water, and wash soiled clothes and bedding at 60 degrees. Anyone with norovirus symptoms is also asked to avoid going to work, school, care homes, or hospitals, and to not prepare food for other people.
According to the NHS website, norovirus symptoms start suddenly within one to two days of being infected. Alcohol hand gels do not kill norovirus.
The virus can usually be treated at home with rest and plenty of fluids. However, you should call 111 if you’re worried about a baby aged under one, if your child stops breast or bottle feeding while they’re ill, if a child under five shows signs of dehydration, if you or your child still has 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, and/or if you or your child have diarrhoea for more than seven days or vomiting for more than two days.
