In response to the UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA), circumstances of norovirus have continued to rise because the chillier months have set in.
In a press release shared with HuffPost UK, the UKHSA says: “Because the begin of the 2024/2025 season, the variety of norovirus outbreaks reported in hospital settings was 10% increased than the five-season common.”
Whereas the company assures that there is no such thing as a indication that this results in extra extreme sickness, it’s important that you just take the steps to forestall and deal with norovirus, must you come into contact with it.
Amy Douglas, epidemiologist at UKHSA says: “The half-term college break is prone to have interrupted the upward development we’ve been seeing not too long ago in norovirus ranges, however circumstances are prone to rise once more as we head in the direction of Christmas.
“To assist scale back the unfold of norovirus you may take steps to keep away from passing the an infection on. If in case you have diarrhoea and vomiting, don’t return to work, college or nursery till 48 hours after your signs have stopped and don’t put together meals for others in that point both. In case you are unwell, keep away from visiting folks in hospitals and care properties to forestall passing on the an infection in these settings.”
Douglas provides that washing your arms with cleaning soap and heat water, in addition to utilizing bleach-based merchandise to wash surfaces will even cease infections from spreading.
She additionally says: “Alcohol gels don’t kill norovirus so don’t depend on these alone.”
Signs of norovirus
Signs usually embody nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
Nevertheless, some sufferers additionally report a excessive temperature, belly ache and aching limbs.
Norovirus infections could cause dehydration, particularly in susceptible teams corresponding to younger youngsters and older or immunocompromised folks, so in the event you do get in poor health it is very important drink loads of fluids throughout that point.
The NHS advises that it’s best to name 999 or go to A&E in the event you expertise any of the next:
- vomiting blood or vomit that appears like floor espresso
- inexperienced vomit (adults)
- yellow-green or inexperienced vomit (youngsters)
- pondering you could have swallowed one thing toxic
- a stiff neck and ache when vibrant lights
- a sudden, extreme headache or abdomen ache
