The NHS has sounded the alarm, urging people to "stay home" if they catch the norovirus as cases of the dreaded winter vomiting bug hit peak levels.
Health chiefs have noted a persistent rise in the illness over recent weeks. In early December, it was revealed that thousands of adult hospital beds had been "closed" due to outbreaks of diarrhoea and vomiting, with advice being to avoid visits to medical facilities for those showing signs of the norovirus.
An update from the NHS on social media last Friday advised: "Norovirus is a stomach bug that causes diarrhoea and vomiting. It can be very unpleasant, but usually goes away in about 2 days. If you catch it; stay home, rest and have plenty of fluids."
Common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea, often accompanied by high fever, headaches, and limb pains, typically appearing one to two days after infection.
The guidance stressed the need for people to avoid work or school until they are symptom-free for 48 hours, especially without vomiting or diarrhoea, due to the contagious nature of the virus during this time. Additionally, there's a strong recommendation to keep away from hospitals and care homes to prevent further spread of the infection.
The NHS has emphasised the importance of washing hands with soap and water to prevent the spread of norovirus, as alcohol-based sanitisers are not effective against it. The condition can usually be managed at home with plenty of rest and hydration.
However, you should call 111 if you're worried about a baby under one year old, if your child stops breastfeeding or bottle feeding during their illness, if a child under five shows signs of dehydration, if you or your child still show signs of dehydration after using oral rehydration sachets, if you or your child keep vomiting and can't keep fluids down, if you or your child have bloody diarrhoea or bleeding from the bottom, and/or if you or your child have had diarrhoea for more than seven days or vomiting for more than two days.