Reports are coming in of a seasonal stomach bug that is sweeping the UK and infecting some 100,000 people a week, a figure that may rise to 200,000 a week, according to health experts.
In a bid to contain the spread of the norovirus, sometimes called winter vomiting disease, the Royal College of General Practitioners (RGCP) is urging people are not to return to work until 48 hours after the symptoms have stopped, according to a Guardian news report.
They are especially being asked not to go near places holding vulnerable people in large numbers such as care homes, clinics and hospitals.
According to BBC News, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) said the number of cases this season is the highest they have seen since 2002.
A spokesperson for NHS Direct, the online and telephone based public health service told the Guardian that 5 per cent of the 270,000 calls received between 21st December and 1st January were about the illness, which is the most common cause of gastroenteritis in the UK.
Norovirus is an infectious illness that can be passed from person to person and also by touching surfaces like door handles, light switches, table tops and toilets that have been frequently touched by infected people.
Infection by norovirus is usually mild, with symptoms developing up to 48 hours after infection. Most people make a full recovery within 2 to 3 days and don’t need treatment, but vulnerable groups like small children and the elderly are at risk of dehydration and may need hospital care.
Anyone can get norovirus but it is more common in enclosed spaces where lots of potentially vulnerable people congregate for long periods such as hospitals, schools, nurseries and care homes.
RGCP chairman, professor Steve Field told the Guardian that hospitals have been “inundated” by people referred by their GP or going direct to the emergency department.
While the currently infected numbers are about 100,00 people a week, this could go up to 200,000 a week when UK children go back to school next week and start bringing the virus home and infecting their parents said Field.
He advised people to “stay at home, take paracetamol and drink plenty of fluids”.
Washing your hands regularly and staying at home until you are clear of symptoms for 48 hours should help to considerably reduce the chance of you passing the virus onto others.
Professor Peter Borriello, Director of the HPA’s Centre for Infections said in a press release issued by the Agency who anticipated this surge in cases two months ago that:
“Good hygiene is important in preventing yourself or others from becoming infected; this includes thorough hand washing especially after using the toilet, and any contaminated surface should be thoroughly disinfected after an episode of illness.”
“Food preparation should also be avoided until three days after symptoms have disappeared. Unfortunately there is no specific treatment for norovirus apart from letting the illness run its course, therefore it is important to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration especially in the very young or elderly,” he added.
The HPA said experts estimate that norovirus affects about 1 million people in the UK each year, but “the figures for both outbreaks and sporadic cases is likely to be an underestimate”.
Click here for more information on norovirus (HPA website).
Sources: BBC News, Guardian, HPA website, NHS Direct.
Written by: Catharine Paddock