Health chiefs have issued a fresh alert saying older people and children are most at risk
The virus can make people feel very unwell but it is usually not serious(Image: SimpleImages via Getty Images)
Parents and pensioners have been urged to take extra care amid rising cases of a potentially serious infection. Cases of the highly contagious virus have risen by 18.3% in England over a two-week period.
And this figure is even higher when it looks at a five-season average. This looks at the past five years, excluding the pandemic, and this was 73.8% higher than the same period.
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued fresh advice following the latest figures, which run for the two weeks ending January 25. They say Norovirus, also known as the winter vomiting bug, is continuing to spread, and while older people are most at risk, there has been a surge in cases among nursery-age children.
In its latest bulletin, it warned parents and pensioners to take extra care. And it advised them that using hand gel would be ineffective against the virus, telling them instead to use soapy water.
The UKHSA says you must wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and warm water – not hand sanitiser(Image: Getty)
It said: “Norovirus cases have risen again this week, with data from the UK Health Security Agency showing that cases were 18.3% higher than the previous two-week period. As the virus continues to spread, people are reminded of the steps they can take to reduce further transmission.
“Washing hands regularly with warm soapy water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces where possible are the best steps people can take to protect themselves and reduce the spread. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus.
“While older people continue to account for most cases of the vomiting bug, activity has also increased in children under the age of 5 in recent weeks. With this increase among nursery-age children, parents are advised to lead by example and encourage good hygiene habits.
“It’s also important to know when to keep your child at home and when to send them to school as this can go a long way in preventing further spread. If your child has diarrhoea and vomiting, they should stay home for at least 48 hours after these symptoms clear up.
“Respiratory viruses are also continuing to cause outbreaks in care settings, which is why it’s important for those with either a gastrointestinal or respiratory virus to avoid visiting care homes and hospitals if unwell.
Norovirus cases in England have increased by 18.3%(Image: Getty)
Amy Douglas, Lead Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “Norovirus activity has remained high in recent weeks, particularly among those aged 65 years and over and is now increasing among children aged under 5 years as well. Outbreaks in hospital settings have also increased.
“We should all remember the simple steps we can take to stop norovirus spreading, including washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus so don’t rely on these alone.
“If you have diarrhoea and vomiting, don’t 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 prevent passing on the infection to those most vulnerable.
“While norovirus is increasing, the latest respiratory surveillance data shows that cases of flu and RSV continue to fall. However, people are encouraged to continue taking necessary precautions as respiratory viruses can be unpredictable.
“Getting vaccinated if eligible, making sure indoor spaces are well-ventilated and staying home where possible if you have symptoms are all things that help reduce the spread. If you need to go out when you have symptoms, consider wearing a face covering, and if possible try to avoid visiting those more vulnerable, such as older people, pregnant women and young babies.”
Dr Conall Watson, Consultant Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “It’s great to see that cases of flu and RSV have continued to fall for another week. While we are heading in the right direction, it’s really important to remember that the end of the flu season could still be some months away and people should continue taking steps to reduce the spread, particularly when visiting those more vulnerable.”
Symptoms of norovirus
Although it’s sometimes called the winter vomiting bug, you can get norovirus at any time of year. According to the NHS the main symptoms of norovirus usually start suddenly and may include:
feeling sickbeing sick (vomiting)diarrhoea
You may also have:
a high temperaturea headachetummy painbody aches and painsHow norovirus is spread
Norovirus is caused by a virus that spreads through poo. It can spread to others very easily.
You can catch norovirus from:
close contact with someone with norovirustouching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them, then touching your moutheating food that’s been prepared or handled by someone with norovirusdrinking unclean water or infected foodHow to stop it spreading
There are things you can do when you have norovirus to help prevent infecting others.
Do:
wash your hands with soap and water after going to the toilet or changing nappies (alcohol hand gels do not kill norovirus)wash your hands with soap and water before preparing, serving or eating foodwash clothes and bedding that has poo or vomit on it on a 60°C wash and separately from other laundryclean toilet seats, flush handles, taps and bathroom door handlesavoid contact with others as much as possible
Don’t
do not go to school, nursery or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for 2 daysdo not visit others in hospitals or places like care homes until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for 2 daysHow to treat norovirus yourself
The NHS advises: “If you or your child have norovirus, you can usually treat it at home. You’ll usually start to feel better in two to three days. Diarrhoea and vomiting can usually be treated at home. The most important thing is to have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.” It adds:
Do:
stay at home and get plenty of restdrink lots of fluids, such as water or squash – take small sips if you feel sickcarry on breast or bottle feeding your baby – if they’re being sick, try giving small feeds more often than usualgive babies on formula or solid foods small sips of water between feedseat when you feel able to – it may help to avoid foods that are fatty or spicytake paracetamol if you’re in discomfort – check the leaflet before giving it to your child
Don’t:
do not have fruit juice or fizzy drinks – they can make diarrhoea worsedo not make baby formula weaker – use it at its usual strengthdo not give children under 12 medicine to stop diarrhoeado not give aspirin to children under 16When to get medical help
When to speak to a pharmacist
The NHS says most cases can be dealt with at home. You can get help from a pharmacist. It says you should speak to a pharmacist if you or your child (aged 5 years or over) have norovirus and:
you have signs of dehydration, such as dark, smelly pee or peeing less than usualyou’re an older person, have a weakened immune system, or have other health conditions that increase your risk of dehydrationyou need to stop diarrhoea for a few hours
They may recommend oral rehydration powder that you mix with water to make a drink.
When to call 111
The NHS advises people to “call 111 now” if:
you’re worried about a baby under 12 monthsyour child stops breast or bottle feeding while they’re illa child under 5 years has signs of dehydration, such as fewer wet nappiesyou or your child (aged 5 years or over) still have signs of dehydration after using oral rehydration sachetsyou or your child keep being sick and cannot keep fluid downyou or your child have bloody diarrhoea or bleeding from the bottomyou or your child have diarrhoea for more than 7 days or vomiting for more than 2 days
111 will tell you what to do. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one.
When to dial 999 or go to A&E
It says there are some occasions when it may be more serious and you should call 999 or go the A&E. Do this if you:
vomit blood or have vomit that looks like ground coffeehave green vomit (adults)have yellow-green or green vomit (children)may have swallowed something poisonoushave a stiff neck and pain when looking at bright lightshave a sudden, severe headachehave a sudden, severe tummy achehave blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue – on brown or black skin this may be easier to see on the palms of the hands or soles of the feetare having severe difficulty breathing, or taking lots of quick, short breathsare confused or not responding as usual
It adds: “Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance. Bring any medicines you take with you.”