With winter fast approaching, the cold weather is the prime time for illnesses to spread.
In recent years, cases of Covid have spiked over the festive period, with the flu also being cause for concern as severe cases can make people extremely unwell.
Another illness officials are worried about is the norovirus, also known as the "winter vomiting bug". As we head into winter it can spread rapidly, and according to a new government report, numbers are already higher than in previous years.
The UK Health Secretary Agency (UKSHA) says lab reports of norovirus have increased in recent weeks, and were higher during the first two weeks in October than the five-season average pre-COVID (year 2014 to 2015 to year 2018 to 2019).
Unlike Covid, the norovirus cannot be killed by alcoholic hand sanitisers.
Dr Richard Elson, principal epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said: "Norovirus activity is starting to increase as we head into winter. Alcohol gels don’t kill norovirus, so the best way to protect yourself and others is to wash your hands with soap and warm water regularly and thoroughly, especially after an episode of illness or after using the toilet and before handling food."
What is the norovirus?
The norovirus is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. According to the NHS, it usually only lasts two days, but can be quite unpleasant to deal with.
Symptoms of the norovirus include:
- feeling sick (nausea)
- diarrhoea
- being sick (vomiting)
You may also have:
- a high temperature
- a headache
- aching arms and legs
The symptoms start suddenly within 1 to 2 days after you've been infected. Norovirus can be caught from having close contact with someone who's infected, or if you've touched a surface that's also been touched by a norovirus patient.
How to treat norovirus
In most cases, you can treat norovirus at home.
Richard added: "If you are unlucky enough to be struck down by the virus, drink plenty of fluids and don’t return to work or send sick children to school or nursery until at least 48 hours after symptoms including diarrhoea and vomiting have stopped.
"Please don’t visit loved ones in hospital or care homes, to help reduce the risk of outbreaks among those who are more vulnerable."
NHS advice states you should go to A&E or call 999 if the following symptoms show up:
- 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
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