Know About Winter Vomiting Bug

Here comes the winter that can increase the risk of norovirus infection in the UK. It is one of the common stomach bugs that can cause vomiting and diarrhoea. Norovirus is also called winter vomiting bug, as it is more commonly seen in winter. However, people can catch it at any time of the year.

The infection caused by winter vomiting bug usually clears up within a couple of days. You can look after yourself or your child at home. Most of the experts advise people to avoid visiting a GP, as the infection can spread very easily. It can spread through close contact and by sharing towels of flannels. The other modes of transmission are eating contaminated foods and touching infected objects.   

Signs and Symptoms

• Suddenly falling sick
• Profuse watery diarrhoea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Body pain
• Stomach cramps
• Fever

These symptoms typically last up to a couple of days. If they persist for more than three days, you need to check with your GP.

Managing the condition

The best thing you can do to is take adequate rest if you experience projectile vomiting and diarrhoea. This is a viral infection, so do not take antibiotics. You need medical attention only if the symptoms aggravate. Meanwhile, you can –

• Drink plenty of fluids to stay away from dehydration; have fruit juice or soups
• Eat plain foods such as rice or bread
• Take Paracetamol to reduce fever and aches
• Use anti-diarrhoeal or anti-emetics to treat diarrhoea or vomiting, respectively

Special attention should be given to babies, as they may easily get dehydrated due to fluid loss caused by diarrhoea and vomiting. Ask your doctor to know more about managing the symptoms in babies.

Effective preventive steps can help the virus from spreading. Stay off from work or school until your infection is completely treated. Wash your hands with soap and water before and after meals. Try to disinfect the contaminated objects and wash your clothes and bed sheets in hot water. Do not share towels and flannels. More importantly, avoid eating raw and uncooked food.