Alarm as Norovirus Cases Doubles Compared to Last Year
Norovirus is continuing to pile pressure onto NHS hospitals with over 40,000 beds taken up with the vomiting bug in February.
There are around twice as many people are in hospital with Norovirus as there last were at the same time to last year.
Symptoms
Norovirus usually starts suddenly, and symptoms often include feeling and being sick and diarrhoea. You may also have a high temperature, stomach pains and other body aches and pains including a headache.
It is spread by touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them and then touching your mouth and eating food that's been prepared or handled by someone with Norovirus. Unclean water or infected food are other ways it is spread.
Best ways to avoid
The best ways to avoid catching Norovirus is washing your hands with soap and water - alcohol gels do not kill norovirus - after going to the toilet or changing nappies and before
preparing, serving or eating food.
If you or your child have norovirus, you can usually treat it at home and you will generally start to feel better in two to three days.
Lots of fluids
The most important thing is to have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration. Stay at home and get plenty of rest and drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash. Try to take small sips if you feel sick and eat when you feel able to.
If your baby is being sick, try giving small feeds more often than usual, whether you are breast or bottle feeding. Babies on formula or solid foods should be givensmall sips of water between feeds.
If you are in pain, the NHS advises you take paracetamol but check the leaflet before giving it to your child.
Norovirus and other nasty winter viruses
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, National Medical Director of NHS England, said:“Despite the sunnier weather this week showing some early signs of Spring, these latest figures show winter is certainly not over for NHS staff who are continuing to work tirelessly to treat thousands of patients with norovirus and other nasty winter viruses each day.
“To help stop the spread of Norovirus it is important to remember to wash your hands frequently with soap and water, and if you’re unwell to avoid mixing with other people until you have not had symptoms for two days."