Norovirus is one of the viruses that commonly circulate during this time of year and is currently spreading in the UK. Implementing effective measures at home could help prevent illness this winter.
The stomach bug is highly contagious and is linked to around 12,000 hospital admissions in the UK each year.
The virus is often confused with the flu as the symptoms can be vaguely similar. The main symptoms are feeling nauseous, diarrhoea and vomiting, although other symptoms you may experience are a high temperature, a headache and an aching body.
According to the NHS, symptoms of norovirus typically start within one to two days of being infected, and typically last around two to three days. Although in some cases it can be longer.
Norovirus can spread easily and is mostly caught by touching surfaces or objects that already have the virus on them, and then by touching your mouth. As well as through contaminated food and water, or through direct contact with someone who is already infected with the bug.
It’s possible to get norovirus more than once as the bug is always changing, meaning your body is unable to build up long-term resistance to it, reports the Express.
It is important to be vigilant this winter to lower your risk of catching norovirus, although it is not always possible to avoid it. The NHS recommends some tips that you can do at home to stop it from spreading.
One recommendation is to wash clothing and bedding on a hot boil wash cycle to eliminate any lingering virus particles.
Electronics brand Beko recommends washing your bed sheets at least once a week on a wash at 60C to prevent bugs from spreading.
Beko mentions: “If you have sensitive skin, but your appliance does not feature a dedicated Anti-Allergy programme, your bedding should be washed on a hot/boil wash at 60 degrees to help prevent infections from persisting or spreading.”
The NHS website also advises against sharing towels and recommends disinfecting any surfaces or objects in your home that may be contaminated, with a bleach-based household cleaner.
It is crucial to regularly wash your hands with warm water and soap, especially after using the toilet and before handling food. Additionally, people should know that alcohol-based hand gels do not kill norovirus.
If you contract norovirus, you should refrain from going to work or school for at least 48 hours after your symptoms have ended, and avoid visiting anyone in the hospital during this period.
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