Norovirus is a highly contagious stomach bug
A bug which has become a dominant virus across the UK in recent months has prompted a doctor to issue advice on how to stop the spread of the new strain of norovirus. The ‘Kawasaki bug’ was first detected in Japan in 2014 and accounts for 70% of all UK norovirus over the past few months.
Norovirus is a highly contagious stomach bug that can cause sudden diarrhoea and projectile vomiting. It typically leads to approximately 12,000 UK hospital admissions annually.
Dr John Burke, chief medical officer at AXA health advised how people can stop the spread of norovirus as the colder months hit and the Kawasaki strain increases. He said: “Norovirus is an extremely contagious virus that spreads through contact and can cause sickness and diarrhoea for those infected.
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“Often referred to as the ‘winter vomiting bug’ cases of Norovirus soar over autumn and winter as more people spend time indoors, in close proximity to each other.”
Variants which are part of this lineage have been widely nicknamed ‘Kawasaki’ due to their place of origin, although they bear no relation to Kawasaki Disease which is a rare but serious lymph node syndrome mainly affecting children. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that there has been an increase in the proportion of GII.17 norovirus samples in England since April this year.
Dr Burke advises that norovirus symptoms are typically manageable at home and should ease after a few days as the virus works its way out of the system. He recommends keeping meals simple, like toast or crackers, if you’re struggling to eat, and stresses the importance of staying hydrated to counteract the fluid loss from vomiting and diarrhoea.
He added: “When infected with norovirus, rest is essential for a quick recovery. It’s best to ensure that you are giving your body adequate time (a minimum of 48 hours) to rest and recover from the virus before returning back to work or school.”
Symptoms of norovirus
- feeling sick (nausea)
- diarrhoea
- being sick (vomiting)
- a high temperature
- a headache
- aching arms and legs
How norovirus is spread
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
- eating food that’s been prepared or handled by someone with norovirus
Washing your hands frequently with soap and water is the best way to stop it spreading. Alcohol hand gels do not kill norovirus.
