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CASES of a winter virus that causes violent bouts of vomiting and diarrhoea are surging in the UK – with hospitalisations at a five-year high.
Norovirus, known as the ‘winter vomiting bug’, is more prevalent this time of year when people are staying indoors, which helps the bug spread.
But this year’s wave of norovirus has proven particularly bad, with new data revealing levels of the virus in hospitals in England are 80 per cent higher than the same period last year.
The figures published by the NHS today also show 784 patients a day were in hospital with norovirus last week (Jan 19), up from 650 the previous week.
And levels are the highest seen in hospitals in any January since 2020.
Norovirus can be very unpleasant, but usually takes about two days to go away.
Professor Julian Redhead, NHS National Clinical Director for Urgent and Emergency Care said: “NHS hospitals have been hit by a surge in norovirus cases over the last week – with the highest level recorded in any January since 2020.
“This, along with higher than normal rates of flu and other winter viruses – and continued issues in delays in discharging patients – means hospitals remain extremely busy with patients.
“Staff are working incredibly hard to see patients as quickly as possible, and it is welcome news that flu cases have now peaked. Patients should continue to use 111 and 111 online if you need advice and support for health conditions and call 999 or go to A&E in life-threatening emergencies.”
Other winter illnesses doing the rounds…
Cases of other winter viruses, including flu, Covid and RSV, have also been particularly bad this year.
Flu rates have dropped since their peak but remain almost 2.5 times higher than last year, with 3,833 patients in hospital with the illness on average each day last week, including 176 in critical care.
The mix of winter viruses has been causing strain on the NHS, with over a thousand patients on average (1,071) in hospital with Covid every day last week.
Meanwhile, 29 children on average were in hospital with RSV each day – a fall from the previous week – but numbers were still up 91 per cent on last year.
Key symptoms and warning signs
The main symptoms, according to the NHS, are:
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Diarrhoea
- Being sick (vomiting)
You may also have:
- A high temperature
- A headache
- Aching arms and legs
You can usually treat norovirus at home – the most important thing to do is rest and have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.
But in some cases norovirus can turn life-threatening, especially for people with weakened immune systems, the elderly, and young children.
You should call 999 or go to A&E if you or your child experience the following four symptoms:
- Vomit blood or have vomit that looks like ground coffee
- Have green vomit (adults) or have yellow-green or green vomit (children)
- Have a stiff neck and pain when looking at bright lights
- Have a sudden, severe headache or stomach ache
As norovirus is easily spread it’s important to do what you can to prevent catching it.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends four things you can do to protect yourself.
Wash your hands well
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially:
- After using the toilet or changing nappies
- Before eating, preparing, or handling food
- Before giving yourself or someone else medicine
It’s important to be aware hand sanitisers don’t always work well against norovirus.
You can use them in addition to hand washing, but it shouldn’t be a substitution.
Before preparing and eating your food the CDC recommends the following:
- Carefully wash fruits and vegetables well
- Cook oysters and other shellfish thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 63°C
- Routinely clean and sanitise kitchen utensils, cutting boards, counters, and surfaces, especially after handling shellfish
- Keep raw oysters away from ready-to-eat food in your shopping basket, refrigerator, and on cutting boards
- Throw away food that might contain norovirus
Noroviruses are relatively resistant to heat and can survive temperatures as high as 63°C.
Quick steaming processes will not heat foods enough to kill noroviruses.
And be aware food contaminated with norovirus may look, smell, or taste normal.
After someone with norovirus vomits and has diarrhoea you should:
- Wear rubber or disposable gloves and wipe the entire area with paper towels and throw them in a plastic trash bag
- Disinfect the area as directed on the product label
- Leave bleach disinfectant on the affected area for at least five minutes
- Clean the entire area again with soap and hot water
- Wash laundry, take out the trash, and wash your hands
An expert recently warned norovirus can spread via clothes.
Immediately remove and wash clothes or linens that may have vomit or poo on them.
When you do this:
- Wear rubber or disposable gloves
- Handle items carefully without shaking them
- Wash the items with detergent and hot water at the maximum available cycle length and then machine dry them at the highest heat setting
- Wash your hands after with soap and water
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