VIRAL LOAD
‘Worrying surge’ of horror D&V bug as cases hit highest level this winter – swamping NHS hospitals
Plus, the best ways to protect yourself from getting it and when you need to rush to hospital
A "WORRYING" surge in cases of a winter virus causing violent vomiting and diarrhea is flooding NHS hospitals.
Norovirus, better known as the 'winter vomiting bug', is more common this time of year when people are staying inside, which helps the bug spread.
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But this year's tidal wave of norovirus has proven particularly bad, with new data suggesting levels of the virus in hospitals in England are 30 per cent higher than the same period last year.
Fresh figures published by the NHS today revealed there were 898 people a day in hospital with the bug last week (Jan 26).
That is a 15 per cent jump on the 784 patients in hopsital beds the week before (Jan 19).
Professor Julian Redhead, from the NHS. said: "The worrying surge in norovirus cases – now at their highest level so far this winter – means there is no let up for NHS staff."
Read more on norovirus
This comes as a winter "quad-demic" of winter viruses - including flu, Covid and respiratory syncytial virus RSV - have all hit especially hard this year.
Flu rates are continuing to fall since their peak but remain over a third higher than this time last year, with 3,019 patients in hospital with the illness on average each day last week.
There was also an average of 995 patients a day in hospital with Covid-19, and 28 children with RSV – down from 29 last week but 41 per cent higher than the 20 patients last year.
Wes Streeting, the health and social care secretary, added: “Hospitals up and down the country are continuing to grapple with challenging conditions, and I know NHS staff are feeling significant pressure as they work hard for patients.
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“The broken NHS system we inherited has meant too many people have suffered unacceptable standards of care this winter, but we are steadfast in our commitment to turn that around as we deliver the reforms required through our Plan for Change.
“Today we are publishing the NHS mandate which sets out that improving A&E and ambulance waiting times should be among the top priorities for trusts as we set the direction for the health service over the coming year.”
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Norovirus is a highly contagious stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea and is particularly prevalent during the colder months.
It can also cause aching arms and legs, a high temperature, abdominal pain and a headache, according to the NHS.
The virus spreads easily through contact with someone who has the virus or with contaminated surfaces or foods.
This makes nurseries, schools, workplaces, hospitals, care homes, cruise ships, and family homes over winter perfect breeding grounds.
The unpleasant symptoms usually clear in two days, but can lead to serious dehydration, especially among the very young, the elderly or those with weakened immune systems.
TB on the rise
Elsewhere, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said cases of tuberculosis (TB) in England increased by 13 per cent in 2024, from 4,850 in 2023 to 5,480 in 2024.
Norovirus: Key symptoms + how to protect yourself
The main symptoms or norovirus, according to the NHS, are:
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Diarrhoea
- Being sick (vomiting)
You may also have:
- A high temperature
- A headache
- Aching arms and legs
You can usually treat norovirus at home - the most important thing to do is rest and have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.
As norovirus is easily spread it's important to do what you can to prevent catching it.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends four things you can do to protect yourself.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially:
- After using the toilet or changing nappies
- Before eating, preparing, or handling food
- Before giving yourself or someone else medicine
It's important to be aware hand sanitisers don't always work well against norovirus.
You can use them in addition to hand washing, but it shouldn't be a substitution.
Before preparing and eating your food the CDC recommends the following:
- Carefully wash fruits and vegetables well
- Cook oysters and other shellfish thoroughly to an internal temperature of at least 63°C
- Routinely clean and sanitise kitchen utensils, cutting boards, counters, and surfaces, especially after handling shellfish
- Keep raw oysters away from ready-to-eat food in your shopping basket, refrigerator, and on cutting boards
- Throw away food that might contain norovirus
Noroviruses are relatively resistant to heat and can survive temperatures as high as 63°C.
Quick steaming processes will not heat foods enough to kill noroviruses.
And be aware food contaminated with norovirus may look, smell, or taste normal.
After someone with norovirus vomits and has diarrhoea you should:
- Wear rubber or disposable gloves and wipe the entire area with paper towels and throw them in a plastic trash bag
- Disinfect the area as directed on the product label
- Leave bleach disinfectant on the affected area for at least five minutes
- Clean the entire area again with soap and hot water
- Wash laundry, take out the trash, and wash your hands
An expert recently warned norovirus can spread via clothes.
Immediately remove and wash clothes or linens that may have vomit or poo on them.
When you do this:
- Wear rubber or disposable gloves
- Handle items carefully without shaking them
- Wash the items with detergent and hot water at the maximum available cycle length and then machine dry them at the highest heat setting
- Wash your hands after with soap and water
Around 81.5 per cent of TB cases in 2024 were in people born outside the UK - but it was both non-UK-born and non-UK-born that saw cases increase.
TB, often linked to medieval times and deprivation, is more common in large urban areas.
The largest increases in TB were recorded in London and the West Midlands, the UKHSA said.
Dr Esther Robinson, head of the TB unit at the UKHSA, said: “TB remains a serious public health issue in England.
“The infection is preventable and curable.
“If you have moved to England from a country where TB is more common, please be aware of the symptoms of TB so you can get promptly tested and treated through your GP surgery.
“Not every persistent cough, along with a fever, is caused by flu or Covid-19.
“A cough that usually has mucus and lasts longer than three weeks can be caused by a range of other issues, including TB.
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“Please speak to your GP if you think you could be at risk.”
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When to go to hospital
The main symptoms of norovirus are feeling sick, diarrhoea and being sick.
However, you should call 999 or go to A&E if you or your child:
- vomit blood or have vomit that looks like ground coffee
- have green vomit (adults)
- have yellow-green or green vomit (children)
- might have swallowed something poisonous
- have a stiff neck and pain when looking at bright lights
- have a sudden, severe headache or stomach ache
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