Health officials are warning the public to aware of symptoms of Norovirus as the 'winter vomiting bug' is at its highest level in a decade. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed on Thursday (February 9) that reports of the virus are 66% higher than the average for this time of year.
The number of outbreaks has jumped significantly in hospitals, schools and care homes with the majority taking place in care homes, according to (UKHSA). The rise is affecting over-65s in particular, as levels expected to be high within that age group, however this year has seen a particularly "sharp increase."
Hospital cases of norovirus in England have nearly doubled week-on-week, according to NHS data. An average of 743 adult hospital beds were occupied last week by patients with diarrhoea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms, up 88% from 393 in the week to January 29.
In response to the increase in cases, UKHSA is reminding the public of the actions that they can take to reduce the spread of norovirus. The MEN has outlined everything you need to know about Norovirus including symptoms and what you can so to prevent its spread.
What is Norovirus?
Norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug, is a very contagious virus that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. People of all ages can get infected and sick with norovirus.
You can get the illness many times in your life because there are many different types of noroviruses and infection with one type of may not protect you against another. It is possible to develop immunity to specific types however is not known exactly how long immunity lasts.
Susceptibility is determined in part by your genes.
What are the symptoms of Norovirus?
Norovirus is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. Symptoms start suddenly within one to two days of being infected and once they do, they usually goes away in about two days.
Symptoms include:
- being sick (vomiting)
- feeling sick (nausea)
- diarrhoea
- high temperature
headache
aching arms and legs
Vomiting or having several bouts of diarrhoea can lead to dehydration, which has symptoms of:
- decrease in urination
- dry mouth and throat
- feeling dizzy when standing up
Children may cry with few or no tears and be unusually sleepy or fussy.
How is Norovirus spread?
If you get norovirus, you can shed billions of particles that can only be seen with microscope. Norovirus is spread by accidentally getting tiny particles of faeces (poo) or vomit from an infected person in your mouth.
You are most contagious when you have symptoms, particularly vomiting, and during the first few days after you recover. It only takes a few particles to make other people sick.
Transmission can happen if you have direct contact with someone who is infected, such as by caring for them or sharing food or eating utensils with them. It can easily contaminate food and water because it only takes a very small amount of virus particles to make you sick.
You can then get sick if you eat food or drink liquids that are contaminated with norovirus or touch surfaces or objects that are contaminated and then put your fingers in your mouth. Stay off school or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least two days.
When you are most infectious, do not visit hospitals or care homes during this time.
Prevention
Hand sanitizer does not work well against norovirus and handwashing is always best. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Do this after using the toilet or changing nappies, before eating, preparing, or handling food and before giving yourself or someone else medicine.
Dr Lesley Larkin, Surveillance Lead, Gastrointestinal Infections and Food Safety (One Health) Division at UKHSA, said: "Regular hand washing is really important to help stop the spread of this bug, but remember, alcohol gels do not kill off norovirus so soap and warm water is best."
The expert added: "Please stay at home if you are experiencing norovirus symptoms and do not return to work (particularly if you work with vulnerable people or food) or send sick children to school or nursery until 48 hours after symptoms have cleared. If you have a loved one in a care home or hospital, please avoid visiting until 48 hours after symptoms have cleared."
Treatment
There is no specific medicine to treat people with Norovirus. The most important thing to do if you have the bug is to rest and have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.
It is important to drink plenty of liquids to replace fluid lost from vomiting and diarrhoea. You will usually start to feel better in around two to three days and you can usually treat yourself or your child at home.
When to get help
Call 999 or go to A&E if you or your child has the following:
- vomit blood or have vomit that looks like ground coffee
- have green or yellow-green vomit
- might have swallowed something poisonous
- have a stiff neck and pain when looking at bright lights
- have a sudden, severe headache or stomach ache
Get advice from 111 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 (over 5 years) 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 seven days or vomiting for more than two days
To find out more about Norovirus, please visit the NHS website.
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