Norovirus – How to avoid the Winter Flu

Norovirus, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting, is one of the most common stomach bugs in the UK and affects up to one million of us each year. It’s also called the winter vomiting bug because it’s more common in winter, although you can catch it at any time of the year. And, with health experts warning that another strain is set to spread through the UK this winter, it’s important to know the symptoms to look our for, and what to do if you get it.

Norovirus can be very 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. Call your GP or NHS 111 if you’re concerned or need any advice.

You’re likely to have norovirus if you experience:

• suddenly feeling sick
• projectile vomiting
• watery diarrhoea

What to do if you have norovirus

If you experience sudden diarrhoea and vomiting, 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. You don’t usually need to get medical advice unless there’s a risk of a more serious problem.

To help ease your own or your child’s symptoms:

• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. You need to drink more than usual to replace the fluids lost from vomiting and diarrhoea – as well as water, adults could also try fruit juice and soup. Avoid giving fizzy drinks or fruit juice to children as it can make their diarrhoea worse. Babies should continue to feed as usual, either with breast milk or other milk feeds.
• Take paracetamol for any fever or aches and pains.
• Get plenty of rest.
• If you feel like eating, eat plain foods such as soup, rice, pasta and bread.
• Use special rehydration drinks made from sachets bought from pharmacies if you have signs of dehydration, such as a dry mouth or dark urine.
• Adults can take antidiarrhoeal and anti-emetic (anti-vomiting) medication – these aren’t suitable for everyone though, so you should check the medicine leaflet or ask or your pharmacist or GP for advice before trying them.

Preventing Norovirus

It’s not always possible to avoid getting norovirus, but following the advice below can help stop the virus spreading.

• Stay off work or school until at least 48 hours after the symptoms have passed. You should also avoid visiting anyone in hospital during this time.
• Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly with soap and water, particularly after using the toilet and before preparing food. Don’t rely on alcohol hand gels, as they don’t kill the virus.
• Disinfect any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated. It’s best to use a bleach-based household cleaner.
• Wash any items of clothing or bedding that could have become contaminated separately on a hot wash to ensure the virus is killed.
• Don’t share towels and flannels.
• Flush away any infected poo or vomit in the toilet and clean the surrounding area.
• Avoid eating raw, unwashed produce and only eat oysters from a reliable source, as oysters can carry norovirus.

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