The UK โHealthโฃ Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a โฃwarning urging people experiencing symptomsโข of โa highly contagious winter virus to stay home, as โcases surge across the contry. โThe virus, commonly โฃknown as norovirus, causes unpleasant โsymptomsโข including โnausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea.
Norovirus is circulating at higher levels than usualโ for โฃthis time of year, prompting the UKHSA to advise anyone โคfeeling unwell wiht symptoms toโ avoid visiting healthcare facilities or vulnerable โฃindividuals. While โtypically mild โคand resolving โwithin โคaโฃ few days, the virus can lead to severe โฃdehydration, particularly in โคyoung children, older adults, and those with compromised immune systems.
The โคUKHSA โคidentified โsix key symptoms โtoโฃ watch for: feeling โคsick (nausea), โvomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, a slight fever,โ and aching limbs. Theseโ symptoms can โappear suddenly โand spread rapidlyโ through close contactโค with infected individuals or contaminatedโ surfaces.
Typically, โthose infected with norovirus recover within two to three days. Though, the NHS advises seeking medical attention via NHS 111 if โคdiarrhoea persists for moreโค than seven days or vomiting continuesโ for over two โฃdays, especially โคinโ vulnerable โคindividuals.
Good hygiene practices are crucial โin preventing the spread of norovirus. The UKHSA recommends frequent and thorough handwashing with soap and water, particularly afterโ using the โคtoilet andโ before preparing food. Disinfecting surfaces and washing laundry thoroughly canโค alsoโฃ help โฃlimit transmission.
Norovirusโข outbreaksโฃ are common during winter months and โคcan considerably impact schools, hospitals, and care homes. The UKHSA’s warning aims โto minimize disruption and protect the most vulnerable members of the community.
