Norovirus cases across in England remain high and now the NHS is advising those showing symptoms to “stay home, rest and have plenty of fluids”. The worrying rate of cases comes despite the winter flu season already having ended.
NHS England posted on X and revealed that more than a million people visited the NHS website for norovirus advice over the past 16 weeks. That means its the most viewed condition on the site since the start of the most recent winter. Symptoms of norovirus to look out for include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and potentially fever, headaches, stomach cramps, or widespread muscle pain.
Although the illness is unpleasant, most cases are managable at home and resolve within a few days. The NHS advises those with symtoms to stay hydrated, rest, and eat when possible. Paracetamol is adviseable to mitigate discomfort, while those breastfeeding or formula-feeding infants are advised to continue as usual. However, mum’s in that position are advised to offer babies small amounts of water between feeds.
The NHS advice adds: “Speak to a pharmacist if you or your child (aged 5 years or over) have norovirus and you have signs of dehydration, such as dark, smelly pee or peeing less than usual, you’re an older person, have a weakened immune system, or have other health conditions that increase your risk of dehydration, or you need to stop diarrhoea for a few hours.”
Parents and guardians are urged to ring 111 if they’re worried about an infant under one year old, particularly if the infant stops breastfeeding or bottle-feeding due to illness.
111 should also be called if a child under five shows signs of dehydration. If dehydration symptoms persist after taking oral rehydration sachets, or if continuous vomiting prevents fluid retention, parents should alert medical professionals.
Additional symptoms include bloody diarrhoea or rectal bleeding in either you or your child, or if diarrhoea lasts for more than seven days or vomiting continues for over two days.
