| The media has been reporting that we are in | | | | necessarily the case and there can be small |
| the midst of a viral 'epidemic' with | | | | things you can do to take precautions and |
| thousands of cases of Norovirus, often known | | | | help prevent you and your family from |
| as the "winter vomiting virus" in Britain at | | | | succumbing. |
| the start of the year. This virus is often | | | | |
| around during the winter months, but this | | | | Doctors have advised that if you stay at home |
| year, according to media reports, thousands | | | | for two days once the vomiting and diarrhea |
| of people have suffered from the bug in the | | | | has passed, then this should mean that you |
| past few weeks, with NHS Direct reporting | | | | are no longer contagious and therefore should |
| over 13,000 calls in 24 hours and hospital | | | | not pass the virus along. Therefore, don't |
| wards being shut down to stop the spread. | | | | feel guilty about not rushing back to work. |
| | | | In the same vane, don't have visitors or go |
| Symptoms of the virus include sudden nausea, | | | | visiting - "batten down the hatches" instead |
| vomiting and diarrhea, with some people also | | | | and keep the virus contained. Be especially |
| suffering from fevers, headaches and aching | | | | hygienic by washing your hands often; this |
| limbs. Most people tend to feel better after | | | | can help you stop the virus from spreading |
| one or two days, but again this year the | | | | around the family. |
| media are reporting that symptoms are often | | | | |
| lasting up to five days. | | | | But what if you do catch the virus? |
| | | | Unfortunately there is no 'miracle cure' and |
| The virus is highly contagious, so often | | | | antibiotics don't work on viruses, so doctors |
| whole families can be hit as they care for | | | | are recommending simple remedies to help |
| someone else who has the virus. Nurseries, | | | | patients feel better. Paracetamol may help |
| hospitals and schools are also at higher risk | | | | with the aches and pains and people should |
| of infection as many people share close | | | | drink plenty of fluids to avoid getting |
| quarters, as demonstrated by the amount of | | | | dehydrated. Some people are more at risk |
| hospitals taking action to stem the spread of | | | | from dehydration - babies and very young |
| the virus. The germ can be spread via all | | | | children as well as the more elderly so if |
| sorts of everyday household items, sitting on | | | | you are worried, then ring your GP for |
| door handles, cups or wash basins for | | | | advice. |
| example. | | | | |
| | | | If you are suffering from the winter vomiting |
| Often, many people feel that they are at the | | | | virus or looking after someone else who is |
| mercy of viruses - that it's a game of chance | | | | suffering, you can find health advice at most |
| as to whether you catch the "bug" or if it | | | | high street pharmacies or your local health |
| passes you by. However, this isn't | | | | centre. |