29 December 2023 , 14:26
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People are being urged to not return to work or school until two days after recovering from norovirus.
There has been a spike in cases of norovirus with government data showing that the number of patients in hospital with the virus is 55% higher than in December last year.
And during the festive period friends and families have been together celebrating which makes the conditions perfect for bugs to spread.
Norovirus, also called the "winter vomiting bug", is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It can be very unpleasant, but usually goes away in about two days, says the NHS. People with the virus are advised that normally it can be treated at home with it being important to have plenty of rest and take in lots of fluid so as to avoid dehydration.
But the NHS also states: “Stay off school or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least two days. This is when you're most infectious. Do not visit hospitals or care homes during this time.”
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Health chiefs have also recommended that if you're suffering from this or any other diarrhoea-causing stomach bug, you shouldn't be preparing any food for the family. And the advice to try and avoid going into work or socialising with people for at least 48 hours after the symptoms have gone, are particularly important if coming into contact with anyone vulnerable.
Dr Lesley Larkin, Interim Deputy Director, Gastrointestinal Infections and Food Safety (One Health) Division at UKHSA said: "Norovirus cases continue to rise, especially among those 65 and older and in care homes.
"If you have norovirus or any other stomach bug that causes diarrhoea and vomiting, you can take steps to avoid passing it on to family and friends over the festive period. Don't prepare food for others if you have symptoms or for 48 hours after symptoms stop."
She also noted that many people will be travelling around this period, but if you think you have norovirus, you "should avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to avoid passing on the infection in these settings." Dr Larkin continued: "Do not return to work or school once term restarts, until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped.
"Washing your hands with soap and water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help stop infections from spreading."
Check if you have norovirus
The main symptoms of norovirus are:
- feeling sick (nausea)
- diarrhoea
- being sick (vomiting)
You may also have:
- a high temperature
- a headache
- aching arms and legs
Norovirus can spread very easily and you can catch it from close contact with someone with the bug, touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them and then touching your mouth. It can also be caught from food that's been prepared or handled by someone with norovirus. Washing your hands frequently with soap and water is the best way to stop it spreading with alcohol hand gels not killing the virus.