The Norovirus stomach bug has been sweeping the UK, with over 100,000 people a week being struck down by it. If your family is in the throes of dealing with it, or you’re keen to protect your children as much as possible from catching it, here’s the lowdown on the virus and some useful survival strategies.

 

The norovirus is a stomach or sickness bug that causes sudden vomiting and diarrhoea. The virus is the most common cause of stomach bugs in the UK and affects all ages. Sometimes they’re also referred to as ‘winter vomiting viruses’ or ‘Norwalk-like viruses,’ and it’s common for them to occur during the winter months – also this year, it began sooner and more virulently than in previous years.

 

The symptoms come on suddenly within 12 to 48 hours of being infected and consist of nausea, projectile vomiting and diarrhoea. Some people also have flu-like symptoms, such as aching limbs, headaches and a fever. It’s very unpleasant whilst it lasts (usually for between 12 and 60 hours), but for most people it isn’t dangerous. However, babies and young children affected by it do run the risk of getting dehydrated and, in some cases, may need hospital treatment.

 

The virus is highly contagious and many families find that, one by one, they all end up succumbing to it. However, there are strategies you can use to try and reduce the risk of others becoming infected. Dr Barry Walsh, from the Health Protection Agency, says, “The most important thing to remember when dealing with any kind of outbreak is good hygiene – it prevents both you and others from picking up the infection.”

 

“If there is an episode of vomiting, the environment should be cleaned thoroughly, ideally using bleach. Hand washing, especially after using the toilet, is key, as is keeping all surfaces disinfected during and after an episode of illness,” he adds. ”People should also avoid visiting hospitals and A&E departments if they are unwell with norovirus.”

 

 

If you’re caring for young children who are affected by the norovirus, then you need to ensure they drink plenty of fluids to help them stay hydrated. This also helps speed the infection through the system. As horrible as the virus is for both your child and you, it should ease off within 12 to 60 hours after it started.

 

If children are continually unable to keep fluids down, then they may run the risk of becoming dehydrated and, in some instances, they may need hospital treatment.

However, as the general advice from medical experts is to avoid turning up at A&E with the norovirus, it’s better to phone NHS Direct (Tel: 0845 46 47) or your GP first to seek advice, unless your child is really unwell.

 

Once your child is better, it’s advisable for them to stay at home and not go to nursery or school for a further 48 hours to get the virus completely out of their system. Not surprisingly, both nurseries and schools can be a hot-bed of infection and it can pass quickly through groups of young children. Due to this, if your child is at school and goes down with the virus, the Department for Children, Schools and Families say, “Schools should tell parents to collect their child as soon as they show any symptoms and they should be kept apart from other children until their parents arrive.”

 

If one of your children has the virus and another doesn’t, it’s not a dead cert that the other child will definitely catch it. If you’re able to keep them apart for a couple of days, for example, by sleeping one of them in another room whilst you care for the sick sibling, then it may help minimise the risk of catching it.

 

The 2007 to 2008 winter season of the norovirus has seen the largest number of cases since an outbreak back in 2002. However, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon, as the Health Protection Agency predicts that cases will peak this week (week beginning 7^th January) and start to ease off thereafter.