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Norovirus is the collective name given to a group of viruses which cause vomiting and diarrhoea, particularly during the winter months. Norovirus is sometimes known as the ‘winter vomiting bug’ as it is most common between October and March, peeking in January and February.
How Norovirus spreadsEstimates show that between 600,000 and 1 million people in the UK are affected by the Norovirus. Hospitals, residential/ nursing homes, schools and cruise ships are the most vulnerable due to the contained environment. This is because it is more easily spread from person to person and can also survive for several days in a contaminated area. The Noroviruses are caught by inhaling infected droplets from the air, through contact with an infected person, touching contaminated surfaces or by eating contaminated foods and water. |
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Symptoms of NorovirusThe symptoms of Norovirus usually start between 24-48 hours after the initial infection, although they can start after as little as 12 hours. The main symptoms are;
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Some people may also experience:
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The symptoms of Norovirus normally last between 12-60 hours, although most people make a full recovery within one to two days. However, the diarrhoea may last slightly longer.
Treatment for NorovirusThere is no treatment for Norovirus, apart for letting the condition run its cause. It is important to keep hydrated. Drinking plenty of water will help replace the fluids that are lost through diarrhoea and vomiting. It is advised to eat a light diet and foods that are easy to digest such as soup, rice, pasta and bread. Starving yourself will not speed up recovery. Children and the elderly should have regular feeds and babies should have their feed as normal.
Prevention of NorovirusPrevention of Norovirus is not always possible however good hygiene practices can help limit the spread of the infection. Emminent experts in the field have advised the use of chlorine releasing products to destroy the virus on hard surfaces. Milton Sterilising Fluid and Milton Sterilising Tablets are examples of chlorine releasing products.
There are some practical steps outlined below to help stop the Nororvirus spreading.
| • Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly, particularly after using the toilet, and before preparing food. The Milton Antibacterial Hand Gel has been clinically proven to kill bacteria, fungi and viruses. One of the ways in which the Norovirus is spread is by touching someone with the infection. The Milton Antibacterial Hand Gel will help stop the spread, and its combination of Ethanol and Isopropan is more effective against Norovirius than some other gels. |
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• Disinfect any surfaces or objects that could be contaminated with Norovirus. |
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• Avoid eating raw, unwashed produce, and only eat oysters from a reliable source, because they have been known to carry the Norovirus. |
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| • Flush away any infected faeces or vomit in the toilet. Pour neat Milton Sterilising Fluid into the toilet bowl to kill any remaining viruses.You should also keep the surrounding toilet area clean and hygienic. Wiping surrounding surfaces with Milton Antibacterial Surface Wipes or Milton Surface Spray will help sanitise the area. |  |
| • Wash any clothing, or linens, which could have become contaminated with a Norovirus. If somebody has been ill, the virus could still be lingering in bed sheets and on clothing. These germs are not always removed by washing in the machine. Milton Antibacterial Fabric Solution is designed to kill germs and bacteria in your family's laundry, leaving you with the peace of mind that the germs that go into the wash, don't come back out again! The Fabric Solution works at low temperatures, which means that you don't have to wash at 60 degrees to eliminate germs, and is gentle enough to be used on silks and wool. |  |
The NHS advise that if you have the Norovirus, you should avoid contact with others, and preparing food for others, until at least 48 hours after your symptoms have gone. This is because you may still be contagious, even though you no longer have sickness or diarrhoea.
You should avoid visiting hospitals if you have had the typical symptoms of Norovirus in the past 48 hours. You may be asked to rearrange outpatient appointments if you have had recent symptoms. Norovirus infection is more serious and even more easily spread among people who are already ill.
Source- NHS Choices 2010.
| Read Daily Mail article on 'How to stop your family falling prey to the winter sickness bug' |
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