Sickness bug at popular hotel leaves 28 guests ill with ‘norovirus’ as they’re forced to self-isolate
What is norovirus?
Norovirus is one of the most common stomach bugs in the UK and is also referred to as “the winter vomiting bug”, although it can affect people all year round.
It is very unpleasant but it usually clears itself up in a few days.
It commonly spreads through food or water that is contaminated during preparation or through contaminated surfaces and through close contact with a person who is infected.
Norovirus infection occurs most frequently in closed and crowded environments. Examples include hospitals, nursing homes, child care centres, schools and cruise ships.
What are the symptoms of norovirus?
According to the NHS website, you are likely to have caught norovirus if you experience a sudden sick feeling, projectile vomiting and watery diarrhoea.
The main symptoms are:
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Diarrhoea
- Being sick (vomiting)
- A high temperature
- A headache
- Aching arms and legs
How long do norovirus symptoms last?
Norovirus symptoms usually start between 12 and 48 hours of being infected with the bug.
Most people will start to feel better in two to three days.
The NHS says: "Stay off school or work until you have not been sick or had diarrhoea for at least 2 days. This is when you're most infectious.
"Do not visit hospitals or care homes during this time."
There are some unfortunate cases in which the virus can linger in the intestines for weeks - or even months.
And you should get advice by ringing 111 if you are still throwing up after two days, or having diarrhoea for more than seven days.
The same goes for children, and it is important to keep out for dehydration signs, especially if this isn't fixed with oral rehydration sachets.
Call 999 if you or your child's sick has blood in it, is green or yellow or looks like ground coffee.
Signs like a stiff neck, pain when looking at lights or a sudden severe headache or stomach ache also warrant calling 999, the NHS says.