Stopping the spread of Norovirus

Christmas is just around the corner, which means the season of giving is upon us. But the one thing nobody is hoping to receive this festive season is a nasty bout of norovirus.

Often referred to as the winter vomiting bug, norovirus is a particularly nasty illness that can spread unbelievably quickly at this time of year.

Stopping the spread of Norovirus

Washing hands with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and before preparing food, is a tried and tested method of keeping norovirus firmly at bay so, if you aren’t already doing this, now is definitely the time to start.

But, if you are unlucky enough to get struck down with either sickness or diarrhoea this winter, make sure you wait at least 48 hours after you have recovered before venturing out into public places, such as your workplace, your child’s school, your GP practice or local hospital.

Even though you might be feeling better, you could still be carrying the germs that have the potential to make somebody else feel pretty rotten.

Avoid going to hospital

This advice is especially relevant if you have friends or family currently in hospital, as paying them a visit – even if it is just to drop off a card and a box of Quality Street – could inadvertently cause them, or maybe somebody else on their ward, to catch the bug and feel worse than they already do.

While norovirus usually clears up on its own after a day or two, anybody suffering from its symptoms should get plenty of rest, drink lots of water and take paracetamol to ease any discomfort.

You and your baby

If your baby is showing signs of norovirus, it’s important that you do not stop regular breast or bottle feeds.

However, it might be easier for you and your little one to opt for little-and-often feeds, rather than following the baby’s normal feeding schedule.