Norovirus symptoms to look out for as cases of winter bug soar

10 January 2024 , 12:00

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Vomiting and diarrhoea are the most common symptoms of norovirus (Image: Getty Images)

Norovirus cases have soared by nearly 20 percent in just two weeks, as more than 450 patients occupied hospital beds with the 'horrendous' winter illness.

The 'vomiting bug' was linked to 539 laboratory reports between December 11 and 24, which is around 18 percent higher than the start of month, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data has shown. The NHS found that patients with norovirus symptoms filled 452 hospital beds each day in the week ending December 24. The health body explained that the "unpleasant" stomach bug usually lasts around two days.

Amy Douglas, norovirus epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: "At the end of December, norovirus cases were nearly 50 per cent higher than average for that time of year. We have also been seeing higher levels of other gastrointestinal infections, such as rotavirus and shiga toxin-producing E.coli."

Symptoms of norovirus

While vomiting and diarrhoea are considered the most common symptoms of norovirus, there are a number of other warning signs to watch out for. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these include:

• Nausea

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• Stomach pain

• Fever

• Headache

• Body aches

The Mayo Clinic notes that diarrhoea caused by the winter bug is often "watery or loose". Constant vomiting or diarrhoea could lead to dehydration, especially in children, older adults, and people with other illnesses, warns the CDC.

Children with dehydration may be unusually sleepy or fussy, or cry with few or no tears, the health agency explains. Amy added: "As the New Year gets underway, 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 avoid passing on the infection in these vulnerable settings. Washing your hands with soap and 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."

How is norovirus spread?

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus, which means it can be passed from person to person very quickly and easily. The NHS has reported the most common ways the illness is transmitted, these include:

• Close contact with someone with norovirus

• Touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them, then touching your mouth

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• Eating food that's been prepared or handled by someone with norovirus

It is often spread at nurseries, schools, workplaces, hospitals, care homes, cruise ships, and family homes, so caution and regular hand washing should be particularly exercised at these locations.

Freya Hodgson