Norovirus Factsheet
Posted by James Hoskins on March 19, 2010 15:29
Norovirus or Winter vomiting disease is the most common cause of infectious diarrhoea and vomiting in the UK. The virus is also called Norwalk virus or Small round structured virus. Norovirus is most common in the winter, but you can catch it at other times of the year.
Highly infectious, outbreaks occur where people congregate in a confined space. Think offices, schools, hotels and cruise ships. Up to 1 million people catch Norovirus every year.
Oh no, I think I’ve got the winter vomiting bug.
When you catch norovirus you may not notice anything for 24-72 hours, this is called the incubation period. Many people suffer severe vomiting, sometimes described as ‘projectile vomiting’. A lucky few don’t puke. You may get stomach cramps and diarrhoea. You will probably feel ill for 24-48 hours and many people feel ‘washed out’ for a few days after symptoms have settled.
It’s important to know that you will remain highly infectious for at least 48 hours after the last visible signs of illness and may still excrete virus for 2 weeks after the illness. Thankfully there are no long term affects from norovirus so you can look forward to a full recovery.
I’ve had Norovirus so I should be safe, right?
Sadly immunity is short-lived. This means that even if you’ve ‘experienced’ the norovirus before you can still catch it again.
I feel awful, can you give me something to make me feel better?
There are no pills to cure you, but your immune system should do a fine job on it’s own. Just make sure you don’t get dehydrated, so drink lots of water.
How do you catch the norovirus?
Norovirus can spread very easily from person to person and only a very small amount of the virus is needed to cause infection. You can catch norovirus by:
- Being exposed to virus in the vomit or diarrhoea of an infected person, most probably as your cleaning up after them.
- Not washing hands after using a contaminated toilet.
- Touching surfaces (such as toilet seats, remote controls, furniture) that have virus on them.
- Food that has been contaminated.**
- Breathing in virus that remains in the air for some time after projectile vomiting.
**According to the Health Protection Agency oysters are a common source of norovirus infection. They become contaminated because of raw sewage in the sea.
Can I stop the virus spreading?
Good hand washing with soap and water is the best way to stop norovirus from spreading. Alcohol handgel does not kill norovirus – well apart from this one – so wash your hands:
- If you touch someone with norovirus.
- After cleaning up vomit or diarrhoea
- After going to the toilet
- Before cooking or eating food
Cleaning products that contain bleach will kill norovirus, so wipe down hard surfaces and objects that may be contaminated.
Keep it to yourself.
If you think you have norovirus please don’t pass it on. Stay at home and don’t come back to work or school for 48 hours after your last visible symptoms have subsided.
