Well being officers have reported an increase within the variety of individuals affected by norovirus within the UK over the previous few weeks.
Incidents of the extremely infectious vomiting bug present in instructional settings in England, reminiscent of nurseries and childcare services, is claimed to 48 per cent larger than typical, the UK Well being Safety Company (UKHSA) has mentioned.
Studies of norovirus in English care houses has additionally risen from 24 incidents within the week commencing February 7 to 40 the next week.
The UKHSA mentioned that it's probably that case numbers will enhance over the approaching weeks.
Norovirus causes vomiting and diarrhoea, with the an infection often passing inside a few days.
Well being officers say that it's simply transmitted by contact with contaminated people and contaminated surfaces.
Public Well being Scotland (PHS) mentioned that the provisional complete of laboratory stories for norovirus in Scotland was 72 within the week ending February 27.
This quantity is more likely to be decrease than the speed of transmission locally in Scotland, PHS have mentioned.
Professor Sheer Gharbia, gastrointestinal pathogens and meals security directorate at UKHSA, mentioned: “Norovirus, generally generally known as the winter vomiting bug, has been at decrease ranges than regular all through the pandemic however as individuals have begun to combine extra, the numbers of outbreaks have began to extend once more.”
Key signs to look out for
Norovirus is among the commonest abdomen bugs within the UK, in accordance with NHS Scotland.
It's extra generally generally known as the ‘winter vomiting bug’ as it's extra frequent within the winter, however you possibly can catch it at any time of yr,
Scots ought to keep away from going to their GP after they come down with a suspected case of norovirus as a consequence of its transmissibility.
The principle signs of the virus can embrace instantly feeling sick, projectile vomiting and watery diarrhoea.
Some individuals additionally expertise slight fever, complications, painful abdomen cramps and aching limbs.
Signs usually seem one or two days after you turn into contaminated with the virus, and so they often final for as much as two or three days.
If signs worsen it's best to think about taking paracetamol and get loads of relaxation.
You also needs to drink extra fluids than typical to switch those misplaced from vomitting and diarrhoea. This may be fruit juice, soup or water.
The right way to forestall norovirus
It isn't at all times doable to keep away from changing into contaminated with norovirus, however there are some measures you possibly can take to keep away from the sickness from spreading.
These embrace:
- Staying off work for not less than 48 hours after the norovirus signs have stopped
- Keep away from visiting anybody in hospital throughout this time
- Wash fingers incessantly and completely with cleaning soap and water - particularly after utilizing the bathroom and earlier than put together or dealing with meals
- And bear in mind that alcohol primarily based gels don't kill the virus
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