A highly contagious virus is currently spreading across Scotland as case numbers show a significant spike this month compared to this time in 2022.
Norovirus, otherwise known as the 'winter vomiting bug', is currently infecting many across Edinburgh and the rest of the nation, as a popular pub in the capital was forced to shut due to an outbreak.
Edinburgh Live reported on Tuesday (February 14) that the Foot of the Walk pub in Leith was closed with a message posted on their front door claiming the circumstances were 'outwith their control'.
It is now been suspected that the establishment has had to shut for a deep cleaning, due to a norovirus outbreak - as a spokesperson for JD Wetherspoon has now confirmed 'some customers and staff' reported being severely unwell.
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The virus is one that affects the stomach, but has many symptoms other than a sore belly. Read on below to find out more about norovirus, the case numbers in Scotland, and common symptoms.
What is norovirus?
Norovirus is a virus that is a common cause of infectious gastroenteritis that results in diarrhoea and/or vomiting.
Most people make a full recovery within a couple of days, however infection can be more serious for the very young and elderly. The virus is easily transmitted through contact with infected individuals from one person to another.
It is also known as the 'winter vomiting bug', because it's more common in winter, although you can catch it at any time of the year.
Norovirus can be very unpleasant but usually clears up by itself in a few days. Avoid going to your GP, as norovirus can spread to others very easily, and instead call for advice - unless it is absolutely necessary.
What are the norovirus case numbers like in Scotland?
From the beginning of 2023 until week ending February 5, the provisional total for laboratory confirmed reports for norovirus in Scotland is 243.
This is comparison to the first five weeks of 2022, where confirmed reports of norovirus in Scotland reached just 46. The five-year average for the same time period between years 2015 and 2019 was 161.
According to Public Health Scotland: "The laboratory reports arise from confirmed infection in the whole population (community and healthcare).
"Laboratory confirmations represent just a small proportion of the true incidence in the community as most cases will experience a relatively mild self-limiting illness and will not require medical attention and have a stool sample submitted for laboratory testing."
What are the symptoms of norovirus?
You're likely to have norovirus if you experience:
- suddenly feeling sick
- projectile vomiting
- watery diarrhoea
Some people also have a slight fever, headaches, painful stomach cramps and aching limbs. The symptoms appear one to two days after you become infected and typically last for up to two or three days.
There's no treatment for norovirus, so you have to let it run its course. You don't usually need to get medical advice unless there's a risk of a more serious problem.
You should contact your GP, or phone NHS 111 if the following occur:
- your baby or child has passed 6 or more watery stools (poo) in the past 24 hours or has vomited 3 times or more in the past 24 hours
- your baby or child is less responsive, feverish, or has pale or mottled skin
- you or your child has symptoms of severe dehydration, such as persistent dizziness, only passing small amounts of urine or no urine at all, or reduced consciousness – babies and elderly people have a greater risk of becoming dehydrated
- you have bloody diarrhoea
- your symptoms haven't started to improve after a few days
- you or your child have a serious underlying medical condition, such as kidney disease, and have diarrhoea and vomiting
Your GP may suggest sending off a sample of your stool to a laboratory to confirm whether you have norovirus or another infection.
For more information on infection rates and symptoms, visit both the Public Health Scotland website, and the NHS Inform website for further details.
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