Six symptoms of ‘extremely contagious’ virus with people urged to ‘stay at home’
A new strain of the dreaded ‘winter vomiting bug’ is on the rise.
The number of people falling ill with norovirus, which can also cause diarrhoea, is running at nearly double the pre-Covid level for this time of year, figures show.
That number has been driven by a new variant of the nasty virus, which has been nicknamed ‘Kawasaki’ after it was first identified there, which now accounts for nearly 90% of cases.
Although it is not believed to cause more serious symptoms than those seen in previous outbreaks, it is considered far more contagious.
Dr John Burke, chief medical officer at AXA Health, said: ‘Norovirus is an extremely contagious virus that spreads through contact and can cause sickness and diarrhoea for those infected.
‘Often referred to as the “winter vomiting bug” cases of Norovirus soar over autumn and winter as more people spend time indoors, in close proximity to each other.’
It spreads easily through contact with someone who has the virus or with contaminated surfaces.
While most people make a full recovery within two or three days, the virus can lead to dehydration, especially among the very young, the elderly or those with weakened immune systems.
Six symptoms to look out for
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- High temperature
- Headaches
- Exhaustion
How to deal with norovirus illness
Anyone infected with norovirus is urged to avoid contact with others for at least 48 hours after symptoms have subsided.
Staying at home is therefore crucial in reducing the spread of the virus, which is linked to around 12,000 hospital admissions in the UK every year.
Dr Burke, a GP of some 25 years, said: ‘Try to keep your meals bland while you’re unwell with norovirus, to avoid further upsetting your stomach. If you are struggling to keep food down, try small amounts of easily digestible foods such as toast and crackers.
‘With any illness that causes sickness, it’s really important to maintain fluid levels while unwell to prevent dehydration. Our bodies lose a lot of fluids through vomiting and diarrhoea therefore, you must be regularly drinking clear fluids and electrolytes when you are unwell with norovirus.
‘When infected with norovirus, rest is essential for a quick recovery. It’s best to ensure that you are giving your body adequate time (a minimum of 48 hours) to rest and recover from the virus before returning back to work or school.’
Figures released by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show the number of norovirus reports this year is more than double that of five years ago.
Amy Douglas, epidemiologist at UKHSA said: ‘The half-term school break is likely to have interrupted the upward trend we’ve been seeing recently in norovirus levels, but cases are likely to rise again as we head towards Christmas.
‘If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, 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.
‘Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus so don’t rely on these alone.’
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