With spring finally on the way it could be easy to presume we are safe from certain dreaded winter illnesses. While it is true that infections such as flu and Covid spread more easily in colder weather, it does not mean they disappear altogether as temperatures rise.
Now health bosses are warning of signs of an unpleasant illness amid a spike in cases. NHS data has shown a rise in hospitalised patients with norovirus-like symptoms.
Also known as the winter vomiting bug, norovirus is a stomach bug that can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. The latest figures show that an average of 678 adult hospital beds in England were filled last week by people with diarrhoea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms.
This is a 45 percent increase from the previous week. It is also just below the peak of 688 beds reached at the end of January, which was the highest figure this winter.
In response, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) released advice to avoid becoming ill.
Amy Douglas, norovirus epidemiologist at the UKHSA, said: “Reports of norovirus have fluctuated over the last month but still remain high.
“If you have got diarrhoea and vomiting, you can take steps to avoid passing the infection on.
“Do not return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped and don’t prepare food for others in that time either.
“If you are unwell, avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to prevent passing on the infection in these settings.
“Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help stop infections from spreading.”
She added: “Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus, so don’t rely on these alone.”
Norovirus can be “very unpleasant” but symptoms usually only last around two days, the NHS says.
The most common symptoms are:
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Diarrhoea
- Being sick (vomiting).
You may also experience:
- A high temperature
- A headache
- Aching arms and legs.
According to the NHS, the symptoms start suddenly within one to two days of being infected.
Norovirus can spread very easily.
You can catch norovirus from:
- Close contact with someone with norovirus
- Touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them, then touching your mouth
- Eating food that’s been prepared or handled by someone with norovirus.
How to treat norovirus
The NHS says: “You can usually treat yourself or your child at home.
“The most important thing is to rest and have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration. You will usually start to feel better in two to three days.”
It said anyone with the virus should stay off school or work until they have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least two days. Do not visit hospitals or care homes during this time.
You should call 999 or visit A&E if you:
- Vomit blood or have vomit that looks like ground coffee
- Have green vomit (adults)
- Have yellow-green or green vomit (children)
- Might have swallowed something poisonous
- Have a stiff neck and pain when looking at bright lights
- Have a sudden, severe headache or stomach ache.