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‘Stay at home’ warning as ‘highly infectious’ bug sweeps UK – and experts warn you can catch it MULTIPLE times
Plus, the latest on a vaccine to protect against the winter bug
HOSPITALS have been hit by a "highly infectious" winter vomiting bug which experts have warned you can catch more than once.
Norovirus cases are continuing to soar with new NHS data revealing there were more patients in hospitals in England last week than at any other point so far this winter.
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The highly contagious virus causes unpleasant symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhoea, which can lead to dangerous levels of dehydration and complications like kidney failure and even death.
Norovirus cases are showing no signs of stopping, as the data revealed 961 patients a day were in hospital with the virus last week - up 7 per cent on the week before, and 69 per cent higher than the same period last year.
Amy Douglas, Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency, said norovirus cases are way above what we would usually see at this time of year and outbreaks in hospitals continue to rise.
And just because you’ve had norovirus before doesn’t mean you won’t get it again.
Read more on norovirus
She advised: “It’s really important that if you have diarrhoea and vomiting, you take steps to avoid passing the infection on. Please avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to prevent passing on the infection in these settings.
“Do not 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. This is because you can still pass on the virus in the days after you stop being sick.
“Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help stop infections from spreading. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus so don’t rely on these alone.
“Norovirus infections can cause dehydration, especially in vulnerable groups such as young children and older or immunocompromised people, so if you do get ill it is important to drink plenty of fluids during that time.”
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If someone has norovirus, they should wash their hands with soap and water, clean clothes, bedding and toilet areas, and avoid contact with others as much as possible.
Symptoms of norovirus to spot
The main symptoms of norovirus usually start suddenly and may include:
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- Feeling sick
- Diarrhoea
- Vomiting
- A high temperature
- A headache
- Aching arms and legs
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If you or your child catch norovirus, you can usually treat it at home.
The NHS advises: "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."
The health service recommends doing the following:
- stay at home and get plenty of rest
- drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash – take small sips if you feel sick
- carry on breast or bottle feeding your baby – if they're being sick, try giving small feeds more often than usual
- give babies on formula or solid foods small sips of water between feeds
- eat when you feel able to – it may help to avoid foods that are fatty or spicy
- take paracetamol if you're in discomfort – check the leaflet before giving it to your child
You should avoid:
- fruit juice or fizzy drinks – they can make diarrhoea worse
- making baby formula weaker – use it at its usual strength
- giving children under 12 medicine to stop diarrhoea
- giving aspirin to children under 16
You should call 999 or go to A&E if you or your child experience the following symptoms below.
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Winter illnesses doing the rounds this year
We see cases of flu, RSV, COVID-19 and norovirus throughout the year, but in winter they circulate at the same time and can reach high levels.
Cases of winter illnesses have been particularly bad this year, as the new NHS figures also revealed there were an average of 98,101 patients in hospital each day for the past week - higher than any point so far this winter.
Around 96 per cent of adult hospital beds were occupied, which is also a record for this winter.
The good news - flu rates have dropped since last month's peak, but more than 2,462 patients were still hospitalised with the illness on average each day last week, including 122 in critical care.
Other winter viruses are also continuing to circulate with almost 1,000 patients on average (952) in hospital with COVID-19 every day last week - a slight decrease on the previous seven days (995).
While 18 children on average were in hospital with RSV each day - a decrease from the previous week.
Norovirus vaccine in development
THERE are currently no licensed norovirus vaccines in use anywhere in the world.
But a global trial is underway, with 25,000 volunteers taking part.
After a surge in hospitalisations this winter, doctors hope a vaccine could lead to fewer hospital admissions and fewer wards being closed.
The Nova 301 trial will see a vaccine developed by pharmaceutical firm Moderna and 2,500 volunteers in the UK taking part.
Like Moderna's vaccine used in the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, the study involves messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA).
When used in vaccines, mRNA shows the body's cells some genetic code from the bacteria or virus.
This doesn't cause infection but can teach the body how to defend itself.
The body reads and translates the code and its own natural immune cells take over.
If the trial is successful, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) will decide whether it can be licensed.
Professor Julian Redhead, NHS National Clinical Director for Urgent and Emergency Care, said: “Hospitals are continuing to treat hundreds of patients who are ill with the highly infectious and unpleasant norovirus bug, with the rate of cases at the highest level recorded for this time of year since 2020.
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“The twin pressures of winter viruses and problems discharging patients means hospitals are close to full – even as more beds have been opened to manage the increased demand.
“While pressures on hospitals remains incredibly high, it’s vital people continue to use NHS services in the normal way – using 111 and 111 online if you need advice and support for health conditions, and only using 999 or attend A&E in life-threatening emergencies.”
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