You’ve probably heard about norovirus, aka the winter vomiting bug. It is a particularly unpleasant mainstay of winter, and reported cases are apparently 66 percent higher than average for this time of year, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
Such levels apparently haven’t been seen in more than a decade and cases are particularly high among the over-65s. There have been serious outbreaks in schools and hospitals.
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Professor Stephen Powis, NHS England’s national medical director, said: ‘The number of people in hospitals with norovirus has risen significantly in line with what we are seeing in the community and in care homes – it is a really unpleasant illness to catch, but for the vast majority of people it will usually pass in a couple of days, and self-treating at home is the best way to help yourself and avoid putting others at risk.’
What exactly is norovirus?
Norovirus is a stomach bug that most commonly causes vomiting, diarrhoea and severe dehydration. It normally shouldn’t be something to worry about, but it is highly contagious and can be more serious if caught by older people, babies or those with existing health conditions. According to experts, the most effective way to ward off infection is to wash hands with warm water and soap.
Symptoms to look out for include:
- Nausea
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- High temperature
- Headache
- Aching arms and legs
How is it spread and how long does it last?
You can catch the virus via close contact with someone else with the infection, touching surfaces that have norovirus on them or eating food prepared by someone experiencing norovirus. Symptoms start within one of two days of being infected. It tends to pass two or three days after infection but those affected are urged to avoid returning to work or sending their children to school or nursery in the 48 hours after symptoms have passed.
How long does it take to catch norovirus?
Symptoms typically begin one or two days after exposure but in some cases they could appear as early as 12 hours later.
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