'Prevent the spread': How to tell the difference between norovirus and food poisoning
Norovirus is highly contagious and can easily spread in close contact 🤢
- Norovirus cases are starting to circulate ahead of the festive season.
- Known as the ‘winter vomiting bug’, it is highly contagious.
- The latest data reveal that cases are the highest among children aged 0 to 4 years.
Cases of norovirus are starting to circulate ahead of the Christmas period.
Known as the “winter vomiting bug”, norovirus is highly contagious and can spread easily in close contact, meaning cases tend to spike during the holiday season.
Norovirus can cause complications, including dehydration, especially in vulnerable groups such as young children and older or immunocompromised people.
The latest data from the UK Health and Security Agency (UKHSA) has shown that cases are currently highest among children aged 0 to 4 years, with strains GII.4 (29.5%) and GII.17 (21.5%) accounting for the majority of cases.
What is the difference between food poisoning and norovirus?
Norovirus and food poisoning have similar symptoms, but there are differences that can help you tell them apart.
Norovirus, despite being known as the “winter vomiting bug”, can be caught any time of the year and is the most common type of virus that causes gastroenteritis. Symptoms can take between eight and 12 days to appear and can include persistent vomiting, diarrhoea and in some cases, headaches and dizziness.
However, food poisoning happens when your digestive system is infected by harmful bacteria, with symptoms often developing quickly, within two to six hours. Additional symptoms can include aches, chills, fever and loss of appetite.
How can you protect yourself against norovirus?
Norovirus is highly contagious and can easily spread through close contact with someone who is infected, touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them and then touching your mouth or by eating food that has been prepared or handled by someone who has norovirus.
The best protection we have against norovirus is regularly washing our hands in warm, soapy water, as hand sanitisers are not effective. If you or anyone in your household catches norovirus, use bleach-based products to clean surfaces and wash all contaminated clothing and bed linens at 60 °C.
Amy Douglas, Lead Epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: “Norovirus activity has remained within expected levels in recent weeks, but it’s important to remember the simple steps we can take to prevent the spread of norovirus.
“At the moment, the highest rate of cases is in children, so if your child has any symptoms, please keep them off school or nursery until 48 hours after their symptoms stop.
“If you’re unwell, do not go to work or prepare food for others until 48 hours after your symptoms end and avoid visiting hospitals and care homes to prevent spreading the infection to vulnerable people.
“Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help stop infections from spreading. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus, so do not rely on these alone.”
Cases of norovirus are expected to rise over the Christmas period. Find out more about the symptoms and how to protect yourself at NHS.UK.