Ireland is currently experiencing a high level surge of norovirus, a highly contagious stomach bug that can be caught more than once.
Some people with norovirus have painful stomach cramps (stock)(Image: Getty)
Ireland’s health officials are urging the public to watch out for some of the telltale signs of a nasty bug that is currently spreading “at high levels”. The HSE is reporting a surge in confirmed cases of norovirus and warned that this trend is “likely to continue over the festive season“.
Norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug, is highly contagious and causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It spreads easily through close contact, contaminated surfaces and food, making it difficult to contain once an outbreak begins.
In an update published on Tuesday, the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) said: “Norovirus, a very common cause of gastroenteritis, is currently circulating at high levels in the community and these levels are likely to continue over the festive season. Norovirus (often called the winter vomiting bug), causes vomiting and diarrhoea and is highly infectious, easily spread by close contact between people.”
The seasonal surge of norovirus comes at a time when Ireland is already dealing with high levels of influenza. The HSE says this is putting extra pressure on health and care services.
It explained: “Outbreaks of norovirus and flu in hospitals and nursing homes can cause serious disruption and increase risks for patients and staff. Your actions make a difference. We can all help by taking simple precautions. If you have respiratory symptoms, or vomiting or diarrhoea, do not visit hospitals, nursing homes, or vulnerable people at home. Avoid social visits to care settings while unwell.”
The health officials stressed that while norovirus is unpleasant, most people recover quickly without medical treatment and drinking plenty of fluids is usually all that is needed. However, to curb its spread, the HSE is urging the public to take the following precautions, including staying at home for 48 hours after symptoms have passed.
Stay off work or school for at least 48 hours after your symptoms have passed. You should avoid visiting anyone in hospital or care homes, or going out to socialise while sick, and for 48 hours afterwards.If you have vomiting or diarrhoea, try to avoid visiting Emergency Departments – talk to your pharmacist or GP by phone instead. It is important not to bring norovirus into health or care settings; if staff become infected, this can lead to disruption of service, or closure of premises. If vulnerable patients become infected, the consequences can be very serious.However, if you think you are really unwell, you should not delay in going to the Emergency Department, but tell staff at reception that you have vomiting and diarrhoea so that precautions can be taken.Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water. Alcohol hand gels do not kill noroviruses.Disinfect any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated or soiled. It’s best to use a bleach-based household cleaner.Wash any items of clothing or bedding that could have become contaminated separately in a hot wash to ensure the virus is killed.Don’t share towels and face cloths.Flush away any infected poo or vomit in the toilet and clean the surrounding area thoroughly.Avoid eating raw, unwashed food produce.
Concerningly, norovirus can strike more than once. Unlike some illnesses that grant lasting immunity after infection, norovirus is constantly changing through mutations, which means your body cannot develop long-term protection.
The HSE explained: “You can get norovirus more than once as the virus is always changing (mutating). Because of this, your body cannot build up long-term resistance to it.”
Symptoms of Norovirus
The HSE says: “Norovirus causes diarrhoea and vomiting. It is one of the most common stomach bugs in Ireland. It’s also called the ‘winter vomiting bug’. This is because it’s more common in winter. But you can catch it at any time of the year.
“Norovirus can be unpleasant but it usually clears up by itself in a few days. You can normally look after yourself or your child at home. Try to avoid going to your GP, as norovirus can spread to others very easily.
“You’re likely to have norovirus if you:
feel sickget sick (vomit)have diarrhoea
“Some people also have a slight fever, headaches, painful stomach cramps and aching limbs. The symptoms start one to two days after you become infected and last for up to two or three days.
“The best thing to do is to stay at home until you’re feeling better. There’s no cure for norovirus, so you have to let it run its course. Antibiotics will not help because it’s caused by a virus. You do not usually need to get medical advice unless there’s a risk of a more serious problem.”
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