Help prevent winter vomiting bug spreading

Help prevent winter vomiting bug spreading

Local residents are being urged to be extra vigilant to help prevent the spread of the winter vomiting bug, known as Norovirus, following a national surge in reported cases.

Norovirus, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, is one of the most common stomach bugs in the UK. It can be very unpleasant but it usually clears up by itself in a few days.

The bug is highly contagious and can spread rapidly in closed environments such as hospital wards and departments, and other community environments such as schools, colleges and care homes. Residents are being urged to look after themselves and family members at home and contact their doctor by telephone if they are worried.

Advice from Public Health England (PHE) for those who think they may have Norovirus or winter vomiting is:

• Take plenty of drinks to replace lost fluids and get lots of rest.
• Visit the NHS Choices website at www.nhs.uk for advice on how to manage symptoms at home or access the most appropriate health service.
• If symptoms persist, ask for a telephone consultation with your family doctor. Avoid visiting your GP surgery or local A&E Unit as this could pass the infection on to others.
• Wash hands thoroughly and regularly at all times, but particularly after using the toilet and before eating.
• Do not visit friends or relatives in hospitals or residential care homes until you have fully recovered and have been free of symptoms for at least 48 hours as there is a real risk that you would introduce the infection into these communities putting vulnerable people at risk.
• Do not return to work or school until fully recovered and free of symptoms for 48 hours.
• Do not handle or prepare food for other people until free of symptoms for at least 48 hours.

Figures from Public Health England show that 45 per cent more cases have been reported this year compared with the same time last year. Nationally there have been 1,495 laboratory reports made this winter; and it is predicted that as more cases are counted this figure will increase.