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