The NHS is urging people to “stay home” if they experience vomiting or diarrhoea, with norovirus cases peaking over the two weeks leading up to December 8 – the most up-to-date figures available. Also known as the “winter vomiting bug”, the illness often causes some unpleasant symptoms.
Earlier this month, NHS bosses said a large number of adult hospital beds had been “closed” due to outbreaks of diarrhoea and vomiting illnesses, such as norovirus. They have implored people to avoid visiting medical settings if they come down with these symptoms.
A new post from the official NHS X account reads: “Norovirus is a stomach bug that causes diarrhoea and vomiting. It can be very unpleasant, but usually goes away in about 2 days. If you catch it; stay home, rest and have plenty of fluids.”
Added guidance in an included link states that the main symptoms include feeling sick, being sick, and diarrhoea. People may also have a high temperature, headache, and sore arms and legs, and symptoms usually come on suddenly a day or two after infection.
It’s advised that people avoid work or school until they’ve stopped being sick or having diarrhoea for at least 48 hours. People should also stay away rom hospitals and care homes.
Washing your hands frequently with soap and water is the best way to stop it spreading. Hand sanitiser does not kill norovirus. While the bug has some very unpleasant symptoms, it can usually be treated at home with rest and plenty of fluids.
You should call 111 if you’re worried about a baby aged under one, if your child stops breast or bottle feeding while they’re ill, if a child under five shows signs of dehydration, if you or your child still has signs of dehydration after using oral rehydration sachets, you or your child keep being sick and cannot keep fluid down’ or if you or your child have bloody diarrhoea or bleeding from the bottom, and/or if you or your child have diarrhoea for more than seven days or vomiting for more than two days.