With the Winter Season upon us and the continuing challenges for Health and Social Care, we are looking for support from our community to help prevent the onward spread of Norovirus.
Norovirus, also known as the ‘Winter vomiting bug,’ is the most common stomach bug in the UK. It can spread easily through close contact, or by contaminated surfaces, food, or water.
The main symptoms of Norovirus include a sudden onset of nausea, followed by projectile vomiting and diarrhoea, usually one to two days after becoming infected. Other common symptoms include a high fever, a headache and aching arms and legs.
Good hand hygiene is important. Washing your hands frequently with soap and water is the best way to stop it spreading.
Norovirus can spread very easily. You can catch Norovirus from:
- Close contact with someone with Norovirus
- Touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them, then touching your mouth
- Eating food that has been prepared or handled by someone with Norovirus
How to stop Norovirus spreading
- Wash your hands thoroughly using soap and warm water after using the toilet or contact with a sick individual and before preparing and eating food
- Stay off school or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least two days (48 hours clear from the last symptom/ episode of diarrhoea and/ or vomiting)
- Do Not visit others in hospitals or places like care homes until you at least two days (48 hours clear from the last symptom/ episode of diarrhoea and/ or vomiting)
- Do Not use alcohol gels instead of washing your hands, as they do not kill the virus
- Wash any contaminated clothing or bedding using detergent at 60°C using disposable gloves to handle
- Use bleach-based cleaners to disinfect surfaces
For information on how to treat norovirus visit the NHS website here