Norovirus cases are on the rise this winter, and families infected with the illness are being advised to "stay off school or work."
Known as the "winter vomiting bug," norovirus produces a number of symptoms, such as diarrhea and vomiting. Even though it's uncomfortable, it normally disappears on its own within a few days. "Stay away from school or work until you have not been ill or experienced diarrhea for at least two days," the NHS website says. You're at your most contagious right now. Avoid going to nursing homes or hospitals at this period.
In addition, a high fever, headache, and hurting arms and legs are possible symptoms for those infected. Usually, the symptoms appear abruptly, one to two days after infection. Resting and drinking plenty of water are usually effective home remedies for norovirus.
The bug can be caught via close contact with some with norovirus, touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them and then touching your mouth or by eating food that has been prepared by someone with the bug.
This includes linen or surfaces contaminated with vomit or diarrhoea from a person suffering from norovirus. The NHS advises handling contaminated linen and clothing with gloves, if possible, and washing them with detergent at a scorching 60C. The best way to stop the virus spreading is by washing your hands frequently with soap and water — alcohol gels, such as hand sanitiser, do not kill Norovirus.
Those who have contracted the vomiting bug are advised to stay off work or school until they have not experienced any vomiting or diarrhoea for at least two days. The NHS also urges those infected to not visit spaces with potentially vulnerable people such as hospitals or care homes, during this time.
Individuals normally start to feel better within two to three days, however, if your vomit starts looking like ground coffee, blood or gets a green or yellow-green tint, it's best to seek urgent medical assistance. In a Government report released on December 1, research found that "this season, the increase in norovirus activity has begun earlier than usual and reporting is continuing to rise across all age groups, particularly in adults aged 65 years and over".
Norovirus activity remained high in the two weeks from November 18 to December 1, with total norovirus laboratory reports between weeks 47 and 48 of 2024 more than double the five-season average for the same two week period in the years from 2016/2017 to 2023/2024.
The number of norovirus outbreaks reported to the Hospital Norovirus Outbreak Reporting System (HNORS) since the start of the 2024/2025 season is 27.4 per cent higher than the five-season average.
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