Sickness misery

A winter vomiting bug is making thousands of Britons ill - Dr Hilary explains how to minimise the risk of infection

Thousands of parents across the UK are nursing their sick child as the winter vomiting and flu bugs continue to take a grip.

NHS Direct, a 24-hour helpline, has reported a 10 percent increase in the number of calls they've received since the end of January.

Norovirus

The vomiting bug, which is officially called Norovirus, made the headlines recently in the Midlands when a number of schools were closed.

It has settled there mainly because the children are not at school this week, but the area is now struggling with the Flu B virus (influenza).

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that are the most common cause of gastroenteritis (stomach bugs) in England and Wales. In the past noroviruses have also been called 'winter vomiting viruses'.

How is it spread?

It can be transmitted easily by:

• Contact with an infected person.
• Consuming contaminated food or water.
• Contact with contaminated surfaces or objects.

What are the symptoms?

• The symptoms of norovirus infection will begin around 12 to 48 hours after becoming infected.
• The illness is self-limiting and the symptoms will last for 12 to 60 hours.
• They will start with the sudden onset of nausea followed by projectile vomiting and watery diarrhoea.
• Some people may have a raised temperature, headaches and aching limbs.
• Most people make a full recovery within 1-2 days, however some people (usually the very young or elderly) may become very dehydrated and require hospital treatment.

Why causes these outbreaks?

• Norovirus often causes outbreaks because it is easily spread from one person to another and the virus is able to survive in the environment for many days.
• Because there are many different strains of norovirus and immunity is short-lived, outbreaks tend to affect more than 50% of susceptible people.
• Outbreaks usually tend to affect people who are in semi-closed environments such as hospitals, nursing homes and schools.

What about Flu B?

The most common symptoms of influenza are an abrupt onset of fever, shivering, headache, muscle ache and dry cough.

Most people confuse influenza with a heavy cold, however it is usually a more severe illness which is caused by other respiratory viruses.

What precautions can I take to minimise the risk of infection?

Usually the answer is to rest, drink plenty of fluids and take analgesics such as paracetamol.

GMTV's Dr Hilary Jones says vomiting sickness has been particularly bad this winter, but he says it's probably under reported because not everyone goes to their doctor for help.

He advices worried parents to prevent their child becoming dehydrated by keeping the fluids going. If after a few days the symptoms persist they should go back and see their GP.

In terms of minimising the risk, try taking the following precautions: 

•  Avoid touching your nose, eyes and mouth with your hands.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after going to the toilet, preparing food and before eating.
• Regularly clean and disinfect surfaces frequently touched by different people i.e. door and cupboard handles.
• Use bleach-based cleaners to decontaminate surfaces.
• Pour bleach down your toilet regularly – especially if a family member is vomiting or has diarrhoea.