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Britt Jones
Norovirus cases are on the rise, and it has the NHS strained.
Every year, we have seasonal illnesses that tear through UK homes and schools, leaving parents and children bed bound, or generally feeling rough.
Typically, winter is pegged as the season with the most sicknesses, due to the usual flu cases, which has overwhelmingly increased this year as the 'superflu' led to hospitals being overrun with patients.
However, it’s not just the flu you need to be wary of. There’s norovirus, too.
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Known as the winter vomiting bug, four NHS trusts have already declared 'critical incidents' amid the surge of flu and norovirus in their areas.
In a statement on Monday (12 January), NHS Surrey Heartlands revealed the already trying situation in its hospital had been 'exacerbated by increases in flu and norovirus cases and an increase in staff sickness'.
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Royal Surrey NHS foundation trust, Epsom and St Helier university hospitals NHS trust and Surrey and Sussex healthcare NHS trust have all been affected.
In response, people have been urged to only use their services if absolutely necessary.
Professor Meghana Pandit, NHS national medical director, said: “It is important that patients continue to only use 999 and A&E in life-threatening emergencies and use NHS 111 and 111 online for other conditions, as well as using your local GP and pharmacy services in the usual way.”
However, usually, norovirus is something you can contain at home.
According to the NHS, symptoms of norovirus typically get better after two days, with sufferers experiencing things like feeling sick, vomiting, diarrhoea, high temperature, tummy pain, headache, and body aches and pains.
Norovirus is highly infectious, and spreads through close contact, contaminated surfaces, water, or via food.
The UK Health Security Agency has advised that people must take precautions and preventative measures, sharing that thorough handwashing with soap and warm water can stop the spread.
But don’t rely on antibacterial alcohol rub, as this is ineffective against the virus.
If you do end up getting it, you’ll need to stay home for 48 hours after the symptoms cease, avoid visiting vulnerable individuals in hospitals or care homes, and don’t make food for others in the meantime.
Norovirus comes around each year, and regularly puts stress on the NHS.
According to the healthcare provider, 784 patients a day were in hospital with norovirus in the week ending 19 January 2025, which was up from 650 the previous week.
Levels at that time were up almost 80 percent 'compared to the same period last year (438 in 2024), and are the highest seen in hospitals in any January since 2020'.
So, managing your symptoms at home unless severe, should help the NHS with its patient load.