As well as flu, there is a lot of the Winter vomiting bug, Norovirus, around. This bug is very infectious, and there is no treatment, and no vaccine, for it – so you need to be aware and take care to avoid it.
The symptoms are essentially vomiting and diarrhoea.
If you have the virus you must:
- stay at home and isolate yourself
- get plenty of rest
- drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash – take small sips if you feel sick
- carry on breast or bottle feeding your baby – if they’re being sick, try giving small feeds more often than usual
- give babies on formula or solid foods small sips of water between feeds
- eat when you feel able to – it may help to avoid foods that are fatty or spicy
- avoid fruit juice or fizzy drinks as they can make diarrhoea worse
- not make baby formula weaker
- not give children under 12 medicine to stop diarrhoea
- not give aspirin to children under 16
Yes, basically you have to sit it out!
The key to avoiding the virus, or avoiding it spreading, is careful hygiene:
- wash your hands with soap and water after going to the toilet or changing nappies
- wash your hands with soap and water before preparing, serving or eating food
- wash clothes and bedding that has poo or vomit on it on a 60°C wash and separately from other laundry
- do NOT rely on alcohol-based hand gels or cleaners as they don’t kill norovirus
- use a bleach-based cleaner on surfaces and leave the surface to dry naturally (do not wipe dry)
- clean toilet seats, flush handles, taps and bathroom door handles
- avoid contact with others as much as possible
- do NOT go to school, nursery or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for 2 days
- do NOT visit others in hospitals or places like care homes until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for 2 days
As usual there’s more advice etc. on the NHS website at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/norovirus/.