Urgent warning to Brits as norovirus cases climb in the lead up to Christmas – the 6 signs you need to know | thefastnewz

CASES of norovirus are rising in England simply days earlier than households get collectively for Christmas, new knowledge has revealed.

Recent circumstances of the horrible however short-lived illness resulted within the ‘closure’ of 457 hospital beds to halt the unfold of the illness between 5 and 11 December.

That is up from 375 the earlier week, in accordance with NHS knowledge.

Hospital beds are ‘closed’ when a affected person in a neighbouring mattress falls in poor health with the extremely contagious bug.

The surge in mattress closures through the lead as much as Christmas aligns with stories from the Authorities suggesting circumstances of the bug are rising.

However the newest UK Well being Safety Company figures reveals an infection charges are 15 per cent decrease than the five-year common for this era.

In the meantime, new Covid figures counsel infections of the bug have climbed above a million for the primary time for the reason that finish of October, whereas Scotland and Wales have each seen a rise.

Whereas flu hospitalisations in England doubled in only one week because the NHS braces for one of many worst outbreaks of the virus lately.

The rise couldn’t come at a worse time, as a backlog of individuals ready for surgical procedure reaches 7.2million and nurses throughout the nation strike in a bid for higher pay,

What are the 6 signs of norovirus? 

In keeping with the NHS web site, you’re more likely to have caught norovirus in the event you expertise a sudden sick feeling, projectile vomiting and watery diarrhoea.

The principle signs are:

1. Feeling sick (nausea)
2. Diarrhoea
3. Being sick (vomiting)
4. A excessive temperature
5. A headache
6. Aching legs and arms

What you are able to do to guard your self?

Norovirus may be nasty, however there are methods that you would be able to forestall you and your loved ones catching the bug.

• Pay shut consideration to hygiene – wash your palms regularly, utilizing cleaning soap and water
• Keep away from shut contact with people who find themselves clearly sick.

When you or members of your family are in poor health:

• Attempt to preserve these with signs away from others till the sickness has subsided for at the very least 48 hours
• Clear regularly – disinfect any probably contaminated surfaces or objects
• Wash contaminated clothes or bedding utilizing detergent at excessive temperature (60C)
• Don’t permit anybody who’s sick to arrange meals for different folks
• Take into account including rehydration salts to water. Eat plain meals (in the event you can handle consuming).
• Search medical consideration if signs will not be enhancing after 24 hours, or if involved. That is particularly vital for younger kids and the aged, as they’re vulnerable to speedy dehydration.