WITH hospitals seeing triple the amount of norovirus cases compared to last year, health bosses are bracing for a Christmas onslaught of the winter vomiting bug.
The nasty illness causes vomiting and diarrhoea and spreads very easily.
In most cases, the unpleasant symptoms will run their course within a few days.
For parents keeping a wary eye over their children for signs of the bug this Christmas, here’s what you need to know about the virus – from early signs to know to mistake you’re making when trying to prevent it.
Symptoms of norovirus can come on suddenly, within a day or two of being infected with the bug.
The three main ones include:
But those with the virus might also have a temperature, headache and achey arms and legs.
If you or your child have been struck down by the unpleasant bug, it’s usually possible to treat symptoms at home, according to the NHS.
It doesn’t tend to be a dangerous illness and complications from it are rare, according to Patient.info.
But it’s worth bearing in mind that you or your child will be vulnerable to dehydration, as you’re losing a lot of fluids through vomiting and diarrhoea.
Patient.info said dehydration tends to be the most common complication of a norovirus infection, so it’s important to replace any fluids lost.
The other most important thing is to get plenty of rest.
You or your little one should start feeling better within two or three days after you start experiencing symptoms.
According to the NHS, you can catch norovirus from:
Patient.info said it’s super easy to spread the virus through close contact or objects, as the infected people will have the virus on their hands after going to the toilet
Large outbreaks of norovirus affecting many people can also occur, which is why cruise ships are often sites of infection.
Transmission can also happen in hospitals, nursing homes and in schools.
The best way to protect yourself and others from the virus is keeping your hands clean.
But a common mistake made is thinking that hand sanitiser is enough to kill the virus.
As the NHS states: “Alcohol hand gels do not kill norovirus.”
Instead, you should be washing your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water – especially after going to the toilet.
Another mistake commonly made is sharing towels and flannels with an infected person.
You should also not forget to regularly clean and disinfect the toilets you use, using a bleach-based household cleaner.
And finally, you shouldn’t return to work or send your child back to school until you’re sure you’re both not infectious.
The NHS advises you stay off school or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least two days.
You should get advice from NHS 111 if:
And you should call 999 or go to A&E if either of you:
