A grim vomiting bug is sweeping the UK – as cases soar ahead of Christmas. The NHS is noticing an uptick in norovirus reports and cases, it says, with UK households warned to be vigilant and take care amid the sweeping bug doing the rounds nationwide.
In the year to November 26, 1,653 people have come down with the nasty condition according to figures from the UK Health Security Agency. That is roughly 7% above the national average for the period, the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed.
According to the BBC, nearly 1,500 people were confirmed to have the virus till the beginning of this month. The number is 60 per cent higher than the cases reported around the same time last year, according to the broadcaster.
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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 or eating food that’s been prepared or handled by someone with norovirus.
Symptoms include sudden onset of nausea, projectile vomiting and diarrhoea but can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs. The incubation period of norovirus is 12 to 48 hours, which is the time between catching the virus and developing symptoms.
Washing your hands frequently with soap and water is the best way to stop it spreading. Alcohol hand gels do not kill norovirus. For most people this is an unpleasant, short-lived illness and they make a full recovery within 2 to 3 days without needing any medicine.
However, some groups – including young children, the elderly or those with weakened immunity – are at risk of suffering more serious and prolonged illness, which may require medical treatment. NHS national medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, said: “We all know somebody who has had some kind of nasty winter virus in the last few weeks and today’s data shows this is starting to trickle through to hospital admissions, with a much higher volume of norovirus cases compared to last year, and the continued impact of infections like flu and RSV in children on hospital capacity – all likely to be exacerbated by this week’s cold weather.”
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
